CHAPTER XIV

THE THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

Scope of Lincoln's Proclamation of Emancipation--Amendment of the Constitution to abolish slavery--First proposals by Wilson, of Iowa, and Henderson, of Missouri--Trumbull reports the Thirteenth Amendment from the Senate Judiciary Committee--His argument thereon--Speeches of Senators Henderson and Reverdy Johnson--Amendment passes the Senate, but fails in the House--Second attempt in the House successful by a trade with Democrats--Amendment ratified--Objections raised by Southern States explained away by Seward 222