February 1861. With seven States having left the Union, Americans believed two different political oligarchies had been rooted. Northerners saw Southerners as traitors to the Union interested only in establishing a slave republic and protecting the institution of slavery.
From late 1860 to early 1861 or ‘Secession Winter’, the question of secession and preserving the Union divided Americans…
February 1861. With seven States having left the Union, a war between the States inched closer. Americans on both sides accused the other of ‘oligarchy’. In a last effort to preserve peace, the General Assembly of Virginia issued an invitation. It requested all the remaining States in the Union to … Read More »
With South Carolina’s secession convention about to meet and several other Southern States organizing conventions, Senator John J. Crittenden introduced legislation he hoped would pacify the South and preserve the Union.
What did Vice President Stephens say about the “Old Constitution”?
Yes. States, where the institution of Slavery was legal to practice, had a legal right to defend the institution if it had a slave code to govern the practice.
Yes. Slavery was tied to State representation in the US House of Representatives through Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the compact entitled “The Constitution of the United States”. Remove slavery and States lose representation and therefore the power to affect legislation.
No. Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 are delegated powers from the States invested in its agent, the Congress of the Confederate States, according to Article 1, Section 1 of the Confederate Compact.
“Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to Service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not … Read More »
The three-fifths ratio appeared in 1783 as an amendment to the Articles of Confederation to enhance the taxing power of the Continential Congress. In July, the government issued a resolution calling for a convention of States to address the their power limitations. No where in this resolution is the perpetuation of slavery is listed as a cause to amend the Articles of Confederation. The amendment also mentions nothing about perpetuating slavery or associates the ratio of three-fifths with slavery.
Yes. Congressional Congressmen made their legal argument through Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the compact entitled “The Constitution of the United States”. Slavery was tied to State representation in the US House of Representatives. Remove slavery and States lose representation and therefore the power to affect legislation.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States … Read More »