Constitution Controversy

Constitution Controversy

In the 1850's, there was much controversy and tension over the constitution between the states and the people. It did contribute to the failure of the union because of the different interpretations of the constitution, the conflictions of other documents, and tensions of the states and people.

First off, if everyone had one interpretation on what the constitution implied, then there probably would not have been a civil war. From several of the documents, there are arguments about what the constitution states. (Document E), "To the Argument, that the word Ð''slaves' and Ð''slavery' are not to be found in The Constitution, and therefore it was never intended to give any protection or countenance to the slave system, it is sufficient to reply, that no such words are continued in the instrument, other words were used, intelligently and specifically, to meet the necessities of slavery." This indicates that the constitution can be interpreted differently, and when used with other documents, it can be incongruous. Those views that differentiated were of those in the North and South.

Also, other laws can interfere with the Constitution in many different ways, leading to sectional discord and tension. For many reasons, the South evidently did not like what the constitution said. There were many conflictions in states' rights with the compromise of 1850, map shown in (Document A) and the fugitive slave act. This is shown through the fugitive slave law and the compromise of 1850, when the congress sorted out problems between the states and the states themselves did not figure out a plan for peaceful existence. This took away some of the rights the states had. Certain northerners were so against slavery and the fugitive slave act that they even posted warnings for the slaves (Document C). How kidnappers were being sent after the slaves, and how Northern abolitionists were revolting against the South's rules and regulations. This fugitive slave act also helped drive the tension deeper between the North and South states.

Finally, with tension now building up in the