Pages from the Archives
13th amendment
forbid the federal government from interfering in any way with the institution of slavery as it existed in the United States. That’ s right, this 1861 version of the 13th amendment wouldn’ t end slavery, it would have made slavery a perpetual part of the Constitution, like freedom of speech and the right to bear arms.
The amendment, which Rep. Corwin hoped would keep Southern states from seceding and avert a civil war consisted of just one sentence.
“ No amendment shall be made to the Constitution which will authorize or give to Congress the power to abolish or interfere, within any State, with the domestic institutions thereof, including that of persons held to labor or service by the laws of said state.”
The Corwin amendment was passed by Congress on March 2, 1861, and signed by President James Buchanan the following day. This 13th amendment was then
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