Before you say “hyperbole” again or ask for a quote, just look up the Corwin Amendment. It wanted to make in unconstitutional to abolish or even restrict slavery anywhere in the states. 3 states had ratified by the time of Lincoln’s inauguration (including his home Illinois), at which point he said:
“I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution . . . has passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service. I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.”
What a saint.
I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitutionwhich amendment, however, I have not seenhas passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction of what I have said, I depart from my purpose not to speak of particular amendments so far as to say that, holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.So what was incorrect about that statement? Was slavery not protected by the Constitution? Did the federal government have the power, short of an amendment, to interfere with it within the states? How did Lincoln's position on the matter of federal interference in slavery within the states differ from that of the slave states?
Finally, why did Lincoln support the Corwin Amendment, but refuse to support the Crittenden Compromise? What was the difference between them?
No states had ratified the Corwin Amendment by the time of Lincoln's inauguration. Ohio ratified it on May 13 and Maryland ratified it in January 1862. Illinois did not ratify it; members of the legislature voted to approve it but they were not meeting in session but were instead at a state constitutional convention, so their act was not legal.
I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.
And even if he had, the president plays no part in the amendment process so there was nothing Lincoln could have done to promote or discourage ratification.