— Ch. 1 · The December Proposal —
Crittenden Compromise.
~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Senator John J. Crittenden stood before the Senate chamber on the 18th of December 1860 to introduce a package of six constitutional amendments and four resolutions. He sought to resolve the secession crisis that gripped the nation following the election of Abraham Lincoln. The proposal aimed to permanently enshrine slavery within the United States Constitution itself. This move would make it unconstitutional for future congresses to ever end the institution. Critics later called this legislative quackery, but the intent was clear from the start. Southern pro-slavery factions hoped these measures would quell their fears and grievances. They wanted guarantees against any anti-slavery activities in the territories. The document was tabled by Congress on the 31st of December 1860 without a vote.
Lines On A Map
The core of the compromise drew a line at latitude 36 degrees 30 minutes north across the map. It mandated permanent slavery south of this parallel while prohibiting it north of that line in all territories. This re-instated the Missouri Compromise which had been functionally repealed by the Kansas, Nebraska Act in 1854. The Dred Scott decision struck down the original compromise entirely in 1857. The new plan extended the old boundary westward into New Mexico Territory and Indian Territory. Slavery of the African race was hereby recognized in territories south of the line. Property in African slaves was to be protected by all departments of the territorial government during its continuance. No future amendment could change these specific provisions or authorize Congress to interfere with slavery within any slave state.