On January 31, 1865, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery in the United States of America. The amendment read, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude…shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
It was a fight, however, to get passage of the bill earlier on: in 1864, an amendment abolishing slavery had passed the U.S. Senate but died in the House as Democrats rallied under the cry of of states’ rights. However, the election of 1864 brought Lincoln back to the White House—along with a Republican majority in both houses. This propelled the amendment forward, insuring its passage when the new Congress convened in March 1865.
Ironically, when the Civil War began, President Abraham Lincoln’s proposed goal had been the restoration of the Union.
But early in the war, the Union began keeping escaped slaves rather than returning them to their owners. In a sense it could be said that slavery as an extended institution ended wherever the Union army was victorious. This also raised the issue of whether slavery could be established in any of the newer states entering the Union. Debates raged throughout the border states that had not seceded and in those proposed states, as well.
From a book that I’ve had for years, first published in 1889, I found a heartfelt “Slave’s Prayer.”
Written by a Virginia slave who “had heard of the President’s promise concerning the proclamation to be issued on the 1st of January, then only a few days away, and was heard praying with great earnestness and a deeply affected heart....” It went like this: “O God Almighty! Keep the engine of the rebellion going till New Year’s! Good Lord I pray, don’t let off the steam. Lord, don’t reverse the engine; don’t back up; Lord, don’t put on the brakes! But pray, good Lord, put on more steam! Make it go a mile a minute. Yes, Lord, pray make it go sixty miles an hour! Amen! Do, good Lord, don’t let the express train of rebellion smash up till the 1st of January! Don’t let the rebels back down, but harden their hears as hard as Pharoah’s, and keep all hands going, till the train reaches the Depot of Emancipation!”
As that slave prayed, in 1862, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves in areas that were still in rebellion against the Union. Can you imagine the joy?
The next step, of course, would be an amendment to the Constitution.
In 1864, an amendment abolishing slavery passed the U.S. Senate but died in the House as Southern Democrats rallied in the name of states’ rights. The re-election of Lincoln in 1864, along with significant Republican majorities in both houses insured that the amendment was headed for passage when the new Congress convened in March 1865. The amendment passed 119 to 56, seven votes more than the necessary two-thirds majority. Only a few Democrats voted in favor of the amendment while several Democrats abstained and most opposed it. With its passage, the 13th Amendment was sent to the states for ratification, which came in December 1865.
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Gail L. Jenner is the author of several books and short stories, including the WILLA Award-winning
Across the Sweet Grass Hills, published by Prairie Rose Publications
Across the Sweet Grass Hills, published by Prairie Rose Publications
Interesting piece, Gail--and you can just hear that slave reciting that prayer. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks. This book that I have has several moving poems and songs written by slaves....so sad that their names are never mentioned! Gives us a stark reminder of the inhumanity of man....
DeleteThis was largely the basis of the movie "Lincoln" starring Daniel Day Lewis, along with letting us see how life was for him and his family in the White House. A two-sided coin for slaves; free at last, yet the struggle against prejudice continuing. Thanks, Gail.
ReplyDeleteSo true --- the heart of man can be so hard and destructive! I know Lincoln was an amazing President, while at the same time he was juggling an entire nation against what was right.
DeleteThoroughly enjoyed your post, Gail. So many people erroneous believe that Lincoln freed the slaves in 1863. No, that was a WARTIME measure, and only applied to slaves of those states that had rebelled. It would become null and void once the war ended unless the 13th Amendment was passed first. The South sent a delegation to sue for peace months before the surrender at Appomattox. One of their conditions included the ability to keep their slaves. Lincoln refused to see them until he had gathered enough votes in Congress to push through the 13th Amendment, because he knew if he let the Southern states back in before he accomplished that, the amendment to free slaves would never pass. When you consider how close the vote was on this amendment, how shortly it took place before Lincoln's assassination and the end of the war, and it almost seems like a miracle it took place at all.
ReplyDeleteVery true. It was not an easy process and so many resisted it; even in the north it was not fully supported. Lincoln had such a balancing act to maintain. And if he'd been killed earlier, who knows?? Or, as you say, if he'd accepted the Southern proposal....history is fascinating!
DeleteWE often forget how difficult the political process is. Thanks for the look back and the journey it took to get the amendment passed. History is so important, and I appreciate any who keep it alive. Doris McCraw
ReplyDeleteHi Doris! Thanks for stopping by. I think dates of this kind, which carry such impact and importance are often overlooked, sadly enough. That is one reason I love historical fiction -- trying to keep the struggles that people have undergone to get through and over the obstacles and issues of their time alive.....
DeleteHow complicated. Quite an interesting blog, Gail. It's always good to know what it takes to change something in the constitution. The up side to the process is, the people have ample time to be heard. I could never dig up the patience or the desire to be a member of congress.
ReplyDeleteI was touched by the prayer of the slave hoping for freedom.
Great blog, Gail.
Hi Sarah! Thanks for stopping by...I agree the process in change can be complicated. It's good to know that important changes can be made, in spite of the evil or dark side of the human condition.
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