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Re: Free States Were Allowed....

Okay,

I see the radical fire-eaters and pro-slavers were out voted by moderates during the convention in Montgomery and at South Carolina's ratification by not including a slave-state only clause.
I see the Constitution that controls Congress from interfering with State slavery laws.
I see the Constitution that places restrictions on Congress, not the States, on personal rights.
I see the Constitution gives Congress specific powers over administration of slavery in the Territories.
I see the Constitution allows citizens to travel with their slaves without restriction or change in slave status through any State.

The Confederate Constitution, when announced, was not really a earth-shattering change for the seceding States. Both the Richmond Daily Dispatch and New Orleans Daily True Delta ran the same article. The newspapers focused on the following (to them) important parts....

The Daily Dispatch: March 13, 1861

The New Southern Confederacy Constitution, Montgomery, Ala.,March 12. --The injunction of secrecy on the permanent Constitution is removed, and the document is published.--The main new features differing from the U. S. Constitution are as follows:

1) No person not a citizen of the Confederate States is allowed to vote or hold any offices, civil or political, State or Federal.
2) Under the first census, South Carolina is entitled to 5 representatives in Congress, Georgia 10, Alabama 9, Florida 2, Mississippi 7, Louisiana 6, and Texas 6, Each State is to have two Senators.
3) Under the first census, South Carolina is entitled to 5 representatives in Congress, Georgia 10, Alabama 9, Florida 2, Mississippi 7, Louisiana 6, and Texas 6, Each State is to have two Senators.
4) The State Legislatures may impeach judicial or other Federal officers resident and acting in the State, by a two-thirds vote.
5) Both branches of Congress may grant seats on the floor of either House to the principal officer of each Executive department, with the privilege of discussing measures affecting his department.
6) The representation of three-fifths of the slave population is continued.
7) Congress is not allowed, through duties, to foster any branch of industry.
8) The African slave trade is prohibited.
9) Congress is prohibited from making appropriations except by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses, except the appropriation be asked by the head of some department or by the President.
10) No extra compensation is to be allowed any contractor, officer, or agent of the Government, after the contract is made or service rendered.
11) Every law, or resolution having the force of law, shall relate to but one subject, which shall be expressed in the title.
12) The President and Vice-President shall be elected for six years.
13) The principal officers of the Departments, or diplomatic service, shall be removable at the pleasure of the President. The other civil officers are removable when their services are unnecessary, or for other good causes and reasons. The removals must be reported to the Senate. Practically, no captions removals are tolerated.
14) Other States are to be admitted into the Confederacy by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses.
15) The Confederacy may acquire territory, and slavery shall be acknowledged and protected by Congress therein and by the Territorial Government.
16) When five States shall ratify this Constitution it shall be established for those States.

Until it is ratified the Provisional Government shall be continued in force, but not extending beyond one year.

There was nothing of interest in Congress to-day.

Congress will probably take a recess for a month next week.

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My position would be that the Confederate Constitution could have been a lot stronger in increasing the power of the institution of slavery but that's not what happened or was the main focus. The States retained the right to regulate and prohibite resident slavery but could not entirely abolish slavery within their jurisdiction.
_________________________
David

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