The Secession Winter: Part Three
The Crittenden Compromise was the earliest of the efforts to find a way to bring the seceding states back into the Union and calm the fears of the Border States. Those who met in Washington City, under the leadership of Kentucky Senator John J. Crittenden, suggested that several constitutional amendments be adopted:
- To declare slavery inviolate except by state law.
- To compensate owners of fugitive slaves not returned.
- To extend the Missouri Compromise line to the Pacific.
The president elect, Abraham Lincoln, agreed to support the first two suggested amendments, but not the third.
The second effort at compromise was made by the Peace Convention. The creation of this body was suggested by the Virginia legislature. One hundred thirty-three delegates from twenty-one states met and suggested several constitutional amendments. Some were similar to the Crittenden proposals. Significantly different was one proposal calling for an amendment that would prevent Congress by law and the people by amendment from ever interfering with slavery in any state.
The House of Representatives passed this recommendation on February 27, 1861 as the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. It was immediately sent to the states for ratification.
Lincoln supported the adoption of this amendment and throughout the winter of 1861, continued to insist that his administration would not interfere with slavery where it already existed.
Neither the prospect of adopting this amendment to the Constitution of the United States nor Lincoln’s assurances had any effect. None of the secession states returned to the Union.
More on the Secession Winter of 1861 later.