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 »
What did Vice President Stephens say about the “Old Constitution”?
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.