Universal Declaration of Emancipation (Open.)

[Tabytha]

OOC:

I would appreciate commentary and political actions, but no outright invasions due to my teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy size.

IC:

Backstory: Slavery has been an issue in the United States of Tabytha for a very long time now. At some times the debate was to heated that it nearly brought the nation to bloodshed and war, but cool heads have always prevailed at the last instance, and slowly, through the years, a battle waged against slavery has been won. Abolitionist politicians and community leaders have managed to pass anti-slavery laws which are in place in twelve of fourteen States to now. Granted, total abolition is not universally in place, and in two States outright slavery still exists in the open, but that is just about to change.

Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States refused to sit and rule on the case of the Constitutional legality of slavery, stating that the issue must be left to the people to decide directly. In the wake of this decision, the President has decided to act to cut through what is fast becoming a hideous politically generated deadlock in Congress.

******************************

Universal Declaration of Emancipation

Whereas, on the twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit:

I. That on the thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make in the pursuit of their actual individual freedoms.

II. I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend now most strongly to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for good and reasonable wages.

III. I declare, as President of these United States, that no compensation of any kind shall be given those who have held slaves who shall now be deprived by this Proclamation, and that no State, save by its own lawfully drawn decision, shall be required to give such compensation.

IV. Upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of Justice, warranted by the Constitution, I invoke the considered judgment of mankind, and the most gracious favor of Almighty God.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

BY THE PRESIDENT: F. Reuben Harmon
BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE: William Fitzclarence

[Quadrimmina]

The Republic of Quadrimmina would like to applaud the efforts of the United States of Tabytha in ensuring emancipation of slaves, and encourages the United States to enact other methods of human rights amendments or simply join the World Assembly to have multiple landmark human rights laws enacted in your nation.

We hope you will consider our invitation, or at least consider adding other legislation from the World Assembly's resolution archive.

Congratulations again on ending the political deadlock in your country, and good luck in all of your nation's endeavors.

Signed,
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Quadrimmina

[New Immortallia]

The Communist Party of Immortallia supports this declaration! It is closely akin to the declaration of the Communist Party before our first national revolution that all people's should be free and equal, regardless of race especially! Death to slavery!

[Tabytha]

The Republic of Quadrimmina would like to applaud the efforts of the United States of Tabytha in ensuring emancipation of slaves, and encourages the United States to enact other methods of human rights amendments or simply join the World Assembly to have multiple landmark human rights laws enacted in your nation.

We hope you will consider our invitation, or at least consider adding other legislation from the World Assembly's resolution archive.

Congratulations again on ending the political deadlock in your country, and good luck in all of your nation's endeavors.

Signed,
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Quadrimmina

Message from the President of the United States

Minister,

It has long been the feeling of this great Republic that membership in the World Assembly is, to be blunt, not a good idea. We feel that it has been shown amply enough the Assembly is a very intrusive, unjustifiably controlling organization.

Even so, we appreciate the suggestion, and will continue to fight to create a more perfect society.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[align=center]

The Communist Party of Immortallia supports this declaration! It is closely akin to the declaration of the Communist Party before our first national revolution that all people's should be free and equal, regardless of race especially! Death to slavery!

Message from the President of the United States

Leaders of Immortallia,

My nation deeply appreciates this sentiment. We are not Communists, but we agree all people ought to be equal in the laws of any society.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[Tabytha]

OOC:

SURGEON-GENERAL'S WARNING: This is a glorified bump.

IC:

The Cabott Times
Est. 1898

Piece by: Stephanie Rutherton

--"I'm not worried yet," says the President.--

It seems the decision of President Harmon to unilaterally eradicate slavery throughout the United States has met some resistance, as he was likely already expecting. Even now, the Supreme Court is being petitioned to declare the UDE against the Constitution of the nation.

"I don't recall the Constitution bothering these people when slavery was not being threatened with final destruction," said the President when he was questioned on the issue. "In fact, sometimes they would question its validity in court cases and legislative hearings when some party used it as a reason why slavery ought to be outlawed. It seems to me they're grasping at straws, and so I'm not worried yet."

No word from the Supreme Court as yet about the likelihood of them accepting the case.

[Tabytha]

IC:

Message from the President of the United States

Lord Adorth,

I do believe I mentioned, Lord Adorth, that no compensations would be offered by the Federal Government to those whose slaves are now being set free. This decision will stand. If the States wish to make a different decision, that is up to them, but there is no right to own any human being in this country, and we will not compensate such a horrid act here.

I should also mention that all persons attempting to leave the United States with slaves in possession will be stopped at their departure and have the slaves removed.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[Lancov]

To: United States of Tabytha
From: Democratic Republic of Lancov

We commend the United States of Tabytha for taking this step forward in the pursuit of greater human rights. Lancov is one of the few nations that can proudly say that we have never practiced slavery, unless you count the time we were under foreign rule 500 years ago. (During which we were all slaves ourselves, heheh.)

The Democratic Republic encourages your nation to take this a step further, however. Grant these newly freed slaves citizenship, or return them to their homeland. Lancov would be willing to assist with the latter. You have definitely made a step in the right direction but go further and right the past wrongs. This is definitely not a demand, but a suggestion. Your nation has earned nothing but our admiration today.

Best of wishes,

Sandor Kruschev
Foreign Secretary

[Tabytha]

OOC:

Working on a reply to Lancov's post.

For now, this is a bumping operation!

[New Immortallia]

...The Greater New Nicksyllvanian Empire strongly condemns your tyrannical actions against individual liberties and the god given right to own property in any shape of form, as well as placing restrictions on the basic pricinples of the Free Market.

As such, we demand that compensation paid to those that are being deprived of their property. We ask that a sum of 5,000USD be paid to each individual, for each slave he has freed in order to pay for lost labour and government intervention into individual investments.

Lord Adorth vorn Schillsky, Grand Kommissariat of the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Intelligence

[Tabytha]

IC:

The Communist Party of Immortallia condemns these outrageous fascists! In return we ask that the United States Government require that 20,000USD be paid by each individual, for each slave that they held in capitivity. Money which could be given to the former slaves in payment for their years of service, as well as a means of compensation for said capitivity.

OOC: Nicksyllvania: A Commissariat is an group of people. A Commissar is a person.

Message from the President of the United States

The Leaders of Immortallia,

In many cases to demand such a price, while perhaps a form of poetic justice, would be unreasonable as the slave owners lack the assets necessary to make such liquid financial assets available. It is for this reason, where possible, we encourage them to continue working, as before in the employ of those who they once called masters, but as free employees, paid a proper, decent work wage.

Because we can not provide this money ourselves due to a restricted budget, and even if we could command the recently deprived owners it is likely they would simply ignore us, thus generating more problems than the whole situation is worth, we are simply ensuring that any individual set free from slavery, now in the free employ of ex slave owners is paid fairly. Anybody found to be paying below the minimum level wage in such a case will be punished harshly.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

To: United States of Tabytha
From: Democratic Republic of Lancov

We commend the United States of Tabytha for taking this step forward in the pursuit of greater human rights. Lancov is one of the few nations that can proudly say that we have never practiced slavery, unless you count the time we were under foreign rule 500 years ago. (During which we were all slaves ourselves, heheh.)

The Democratic Republic encourages your nation to take this a step further, however. Grant these newly freed slaves citizenship, or return them to their homeland. Lancov would be willing to assist with the latter. You have definitely made a step in the right direction but go further and right the past wrongs. This is definitely not a demand, but a suggestion. Your nation has earned nothing but our admiration today.

Best of wishes,

Sandor Kruschev
Foreign Secretary

Message from the President of the United States

Secretary Kruschev,

In many cases these slaves were born here, in the United States and would not have the first idea how to blend in back in the lands where by blood their lines originate. They regard themselves as Tabythans, and have no wish to leave, merely to enjoy a change in status.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[Tabytha]

IC:

Message from the President of the United States

Lord Adorth,

In the dual interests of avoiding bloodshed and civil strife, Congress has, with my urging, agreed to accept this deal, although they insist on intimate political oversight when hammering out the specifics of such a free trade treaty.

New Nicksyllvania is a slaving nation, and as such has a Transit Advisory in place by default, a new policy based on my own directive. This is not a block from accessing Tabythan ports, but it does mean all Nicksyllvanian ships entering Tabythan ports will be required to hand over an intensely detailed cargo manifest when entering port, and when leaving, and on both occasions may be called upon to submit to a search.

Please understand that no Nicksyllvanian warships are to be permitted in Tabythan waters. Merchant and passage ships only.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[Pormarchslavakmark]

The Commonwealth of Pormarchslavakmark supports this declaration. We are not communists but we will help everyone fighting for freedom. We condemn New Nicksyllvania and other fascist countries using religion to enslave people.

[Tabytha]

OOC:

Bump for the more views.

[Seperate Vermont]

Vermont, or Seperate Vermont, has declared its intent to both approve and implement this emancipation, as it feels it is a progressive step for everyone.

Sincerely,
President Mapleois.

[Chezchopoland]

Provisional leader supports this

[Tabytha]

Message from the President of the United States

Mr. President,

I thank you for supporting this Declaration so fully.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[New Immortallia]

The Communist Party of Immortallia would like to extend it's own proposal to the United States of Tabytha regarding the recently empancipated peoples.

The People of Immortallia, following an emergency national referendum, have voted to aid the ex-slaves of Tabytha. Given the approximate one hundred thousand recently freed slaves or indentured labourers we have voted a budget of $8.2bnUSRC, equivalent roughly to $6bn USD or $11.6bn Tabythan.

The funding (in USD) would be distributed accordingly:



1.
$2bn approx set aside for compensation and renumeration payments to all recently emancipated individuals.
To be broken down accordingly:
$10,000 for every full slave,
$7,500 for every indentured labourer,
+ $1,000 for every year spent in slavery,
+ $700 for every year spent in indentured servitude,
+ Case specific renumerations in instances of health problems or issues,
+ $10-20 per slave owner for cooperation with records.
(Any money left over will be redirected into the other areas of this budget)

2.
$1.25bn approx set aside for infrastructure construction for ex-slaves and indentured labourers within The United States of Tabytha.
To be spent on the following:
Construction of schools,
Community policing service,
Mass Transit,
Clinics,
Construction of planned Community housing areas.

3.
$1.45bn approx set aside to provide:
50,000MW·h/yr of electricity to new emancipated community housing areas, via either direct power routing from Immortallia/or the construction and operation of new small scale power plants within Tabytha under Tabythan Government supervision,
A waste and sanitation scheme, targeted at 3lb per person per day solid and liquid arteficial and organic waste removal and treatment,
A water plant, dedicated to providing clean 20,000ml of clean water per person per day to the new community housing areas.

4.
$1.3bn approx set aside for a long term maintenance programs, infrastructure and social programs within Tabytha for ex-slaves and indentured labourers.
Projected to be spent:
I.
$40m/annum for 10 years on:
Hiring and employing teachers,
Educational equipment,
Operating the Mass Transit system (bus network),
Fighting crime,
Clinic staff,
Health equipment inc vaccinations, machinery, sterile tools and general supplies,
Maintenence for new housing projects.
II.
$80m/annum for 10 years on:
Maintaining;
Electricity supply,
Sanitation,
Clean water,
Administration.
III.
$20m/annum for 5 years on:
A phased withdrawal from the empancipation project and incentivising Tabythan private enterprise as well as local public taxation from the community housing areas to take over the burden of maintenance and administration; finally become self-sustaining at the end of the 5 years, at whichpoint the Immortallian project will have completely finished and all Immortallia project coordinators will have pulled out.



In exchange the Government of Immortallia would ask permission to establish a small Department of Emancipated Affairs within Tabytha, and under the supervision of the national Government, with a staff of thirty persons to administer and coordinate this budget with Tabytha. The Department would naturally have absolutely no legal powers, and would have to defer to the approval of the Government of Tabytha in every aspect of it's work.



This budget would be designed to last 15 years in total: 10 years of full Immortallian funding with a 5 year phased withdrawal afterwards.

The aims of this budget at the end of it's 15 years are:
I. Establishing the empancipated community as an equal part of the Tabythan population,
II. Encouraging business, a healthy local economy, and adequate employment,
III. Achieving a HDI rating of 0.900 or more for the emancipated community,
IV. Incurring no costs to the Government of Tabytha.

If it is still impossible at the end of the 10 years for the communities to sustain themselves, additional funding will be sought within Immortallia and likely provided for a short term 5 year boost, before hopefully the local economy flourishes.

If accepted, this project will be planned in depth with the complete cooperation with the national Government of Tabytha by the Department of Emancipated Affairs on any part of the scheme. Citing of new community housing areas as well as service providing areas (power, water and sanitation facilities) will likewise be under the complete control of the Tabythan Government.

The Department of Emancipated Affairs would be, if established, completely under the supervision of the Government of Tabytha, publishing to them all records of spending and investment and providing them with up to date reports monthly. Furthermore the Department must consult the Government of Tabytha regarding any and all policy descisions, and requires the approval of the national Government to carry out any policy regarding the use of Immortallian funds. Lastly, The Department's policies can be unquestionably vetoed, amended, re-written or put on hold at any time by the national Government of Tabytha, which would have complete authority over the Department.

We hope the Tabythan Government sees fit to approve our budget, or if otherwise, amend it for the better.

[Eternal Yerushalayim]

Without further ado, we commend your valour.
The Shalomean People.

[Tabytha]

OOC:

Bumped for views. Writing replies.

[Allanea]

Joint Response of the United States Government and Key Private Organizations

The President of the United States of Allanea, its Congress and Judiciary, together with the Order of the Sisters of Liberty, the Temple of Our Lady Sirithil, the Libertarian Party of Allanea, the Democratic Party of Allanea, the Anarchist Party of Allanea, the Republican Party of Allanea, the New World Order Party of Allanea, the Ambiventira Communist Party of Allanea, as well as the Ashtonbury Brigade, the Allanean Arms Corporation, and Demented Schooling, Incorporated, join together in our endorsement of this announcement and our condemnation of human chattel slavery as one of the world's most horrific evils.

[Tabytha]

The Communist Party of Immortallia would like to extend it's own proposal to the United States of Tabytha regarding the recently empancipated peoples.

The People of Immortallia, following an emergency national referendum, have voted to aid the ex-slaves of Tabytha. Given the approximate one hundred thousand recently freed slaves or indentured labourers we have voted a budget of $8.2bnUSRC, equivalent roughly to $6bn USD or $11.6bn Tabythan.

The funding (in USD) would be distributed accordingly:



1.
$2bn approx set aside for compensation and renumeration payments to all recently emancipated individuals.
To be broken down accordingly:
$10,000 for every full slave,
$7,500 for every indentured labourer,
+ $1,000 for every year spent in slavery,
+ $700 for every year spent in indentured servitude,
+ Case specific renumerations in instances of health problems or issues,
+ $10-20 per slave owner for cooperation with records.
(Any money left over will be redirected into the other areas of this budget)

2.
$1.25bn approx set aside for infrastructure construction for ex-slaves and indentured labourers within The United States of Tabytha.
To be spent on the following:
Construction of schools,
Community policing service,
Mass Transit,
Clinics,
Construction of planned Community housing areas.

3.
$1.45bn approx set aside to provide:
50,000MW·h/yr of electricity to new emancipated community housing areas, via either direct power routing from Immortallia/or the construction and operation of new small scale power plants within Tabytha under Tabythan Government supervision,
A waste and sanitation scheme, targeted at 3lb per person per day solid and liquid arteficial and organic waste removal and treatment,
A water plant, dedicated to providing clean 20,000ml of clean water per person per day to the new community housing areas.

4.
$1.3bn approx set aside for a long term maintenance programs, infrastructure and social programs within Tabytha for ex-slaves and indentured labourers.
Projected to be spent:
I.
$40m/annum for 10 years on:
Hiring and employing teachers,
Educational equipment,
Operating the Mass Transit system (bus network),
Fighting crime,
Clinic staff,
Health equipment inc vaccinations, machinery, sterile tools and general supplies,
Maintenence for new housing projects.
II.
$80m/annum for 10 years on:
Maintaining;
Electricity supply,
Sanitation,
Clean water,
Administration.
III.
$20m/annum for 5 years on:
A phased withdrawal from the empancipation project and incentivising Tabythan private enterprise as well as local public taxation from the community housing areas to take over the burden of maintenance and administration; finally become self-sustaining at the end of the 5 years, at whichpoint the Immortallian project will have completely finished and all Immortallia project coordinators will have pulled out.



In exchange the Government of Immortallia would ask permission to establish a small Department of Emancipated Affairs within Tabytha, and under the supervision of the national Government, with a staff of thirty persons to administer and coordinate this budget with Tabytha. The Department would naturally have absolutely no legal powers, and would have to defer to the approval of the Government of Tabytha in every aspect of it's work.



This budget would be designed to last 15 years in total: 10 years of full Immortallian funding with a 5 year phased withdrawal afterwards.

The aims of this budget at the end of it's 15 years are:
I. Establishing the empancipated community as an equal part of the Tabythan population,
II. Encouraging business, a healthy local economy, and adequate employment,
III. Achieving a HDI rating of 0.900 or more for the emancipated community,
IV. Incurring no costs to the Government of Tabytha.

If it is still impossible at the end of the 10 years for the communities to sustain themselves, additional funding will be sought within Immortallia and likely provided for a short term 5 year boost, before hopefully the local economy flourishes.

If accepted, this project will be planned in depth with the complete cooperation with the national Government of Tabytha by the Department of Emancipated Affairs on any part of the scheme. Citing of new community housing areas as well as service providing areas (power, water and sanitation facilities) will likewise be under the complete control of the Tabythan Government.

The Department of Emancipated Affairs would be, if established, completely under the supervision of the Government of Tabytha, publishing to them all records of spending and investment and providing them with up to date reports monthly. Furthermore the Department must consult the Government of Tabytha regarding any and all policy descisions, and requires the approval of the national Government to carry out any policy regarding the use of Immortallian funds. Lastly, The Department's policies can be unquestionably vetoed, amended, re-written or put on hold at any time by the national Government of Tabytha, which would have complete authority over the Department.

We hope the Tabythan Government sees fit to approve our budget, or if otherwise, amend it for the better.

Message from the President of the United States

Mr. President,

I am pleased to inform you that Congress has voted to accept this proposal, and will be forming a temporary bicameral Congressional Oversight Committee.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

Joint Response of the United States Government and Key Private Organizations

The President of the United States of Allanea, its Congress and Judiciary, together with the Order of the Sisters of Liberty, the Temple of Our Lady Sirithil, the Libertarian Party of Allanea, the Democratic Party of Allanea, the Anarchist Party of Allanea, the Republican Party of Allanea, the New World Order Party of Allanea, the Ambiventira Communist Party of Allanea, as well as the Ashtonbury Brigade, the Allanean Arms Corporation, and Demented Schooling, Incorporated, join together in our endorsement of this announcement and our condemnation of human chattel slavery as one of the world's most horrific evils.

Message from the President of the United States

Mr. President,

I wish to extend to you the heartfelt thanks of the President, the Congress, and the People of these United States for your support. Slavery is indeed a grave and evil thing, and we are proud to have done away with it here.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[Quadrimmina]

Your nation is offered our humblest thanks for your considerations. We look forward to working with your nation through other diplomatic channels to ensure mutual benefit. Thank you again for your time.

The Republic of Quadrimmina would like to applaud the efforts of the United States of Tabytha in ensuring emancipation of slaves, and encourages the United States to enact other methods of human rights amendments or simply join the World Assembly to have multiple landmark human rights laws enacted in your nation.

We hope you will consider our invitation, or at least consider adding other legislation from the World Assembly's resolution archive.

Congratulations again on ending the political deadlock in your country, and good luck in all of your nation's endeavors.

Signed,
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Quadrimmina

Message from the President of the United States

Minister,

It has long been the feeling of this great Republic that membership in the World Assembly is, to be blunt, not a good idea. We feel that it has been shown amply enough the Assembly is a very intrusive, unjustifiably controlling organization.

Even so, we appreciate the suggestion, and will continue to fight to create a more perfect society.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon

[align=center]

The Communist Party of Immortallia supports this declaration! It is closely akin to the declaration of the Communist Party before our first national revolution that all people's should be free and equal, regardless of race especially! Death to slavery!

Message from the President of the United States

Leaders of Immortallia,

My nation deeply appreciates this sentiment. We are not Communists, but we agree all people ought to be equal in the laws of any society.

Signed by,
President F. Reuben Harmon