OLIGARCHY: AN AMERICAN FEAR DURING SECESSION WINTER – PART 2

1 Oct

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.

THE WASHINGTON PEACE CONFERENCE’S PROPOSED 13TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

30 Aug

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 »

FACT CHECK: SLAVES PLAYED INTO THE CALCULATION OF A STATE’S FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION UNTIL 13TH AMENDMENT

20 Nov

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.

AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION TO SHARE EXPENSES ACCORDING TO POPULATION, APRIL 18 1783

1 Jul

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.

FACT CHECK: DID THE STATES HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION BEFORE THE WAR OF 1861? YES, THEY DID.

29 May

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.