This proposed constitutional amendment, emerging in late 1860, aimed to resolve the secession crisis threatening to dissolve the Union. It sought to appease Southern states by guaranteeing the permanent existence of slavery in states where it already existed. A key provision involved extending the Missouri Compromise line westward, permitting slavery in territories south of the line while prohibiting it north of the line. Furthermore, it aimed to prohibit the federal government from abolishing slavery in existing slave states and compensate slaveholders for fugitive slaves who could not be recovered.
Its significance lies in its role as a final attempt at reconciliation before the outbreak of the Civil War. The compromise’s failure underscores the deep divisions within the nation regarding the institution of slavery and the powers of the federal government. Its rejection by both Republican and Southern leaders highlighted the irreconcilable differences that ultimately led to armed conflict. Understanding this failed initiative provides context for comprehending the escalating tensions and the eventual descent into civil war.
