Show NO SLAVERY IN I GUAM NAVAL GOVERNOR LEAHY ISSUES IS-SUES PROCLAMATION Human Slavery or Peonage in the Island Abolished on and After February 22nd Washington March l7The following follow-ing proclamation has been Issued by the Governor of the isle of Guam To the Inhabitants of GuarnIn Issuing Is-suing this decree the Government desires de-sires and earnestly Invokes divine blesslmjs and guidance In Its ofljclal action rind In the dally pursuits and occupations of the citizens of Guam By the cession of the Isle of Guam to the United Stales of America all of the authority power and responsibilities responsibili-ties of sovereignty were transferred to this Government and In transforming and organiIng the new political power the surest and speediest route to success suc-cess prosperity and happiness for the inhabitants of this Island Is by benevolent benevo-lent assimilation to the fundamental principles that constitute the basin 1 of free American government Honest labor with Just compensa lion dignified by faithful consideration of the mutual interests and welfare ol I all concerned should Insure prosperity to this community Whereas the existing labordegrad ing system of human bondage and un = 1 Just Indefinite servitude 1 or pconoe permitted during the late Spnnlshcon trot In this island Is In tact con slnvcr and n 5y5t n ot as such Is subversive good of ovcrnment Is an obstacle JroITcS9 to clIlzaPon n menace to ula pop lIuurL and Iolation oC the provisions guatantce sacred by the tIon or the UnH Statca Ollsuiu Now therefore by virtue oC the thorIty elletHn mcb hl nu time Presldeht oc the United Exccl1cner SlateR 1 Richard P Loarv Captain I U S thT navy Governor of the Island ot Guam du hereby announce and publicly prOClaim absolute prohibition and total nbol1loa p oC human 9lfLvery Qr peonage In lho Island of Guam and after the 22nd of February A D 1000 all pcraonn day aro I i hereby commanded to comply with the requirements of this proclamation In witness whereof I hereunto sot my hand and have caused the sent oC the U S nval station Island or Guam to be nfilxccl Done at A ruona Isle of Guam tho flrat day oC January In the year of our i Lord 1900 and ° C the independence oC tile United States of America the 14 th RICHARD P LEARY I I U S Navy Govcrnor I |