The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 declared all men “born free and equal”; the slave Quock Walker sued for his freedom on this basis and won his freedom, thus abolishing slavery in Massachusetts.
The North never fought a war to KEEP slavery.
Funny thing about Yankee...Y'all are all for States rights and talking a good game! Until it may hurt your feelings or pocket book,of course.
It also currently says:
Article IV. The people of this commonwealth have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves, as a free, sovereign, and independent state; and do, and forever hereafter shall, exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not, or may not hereafter, be by them expressly delegated to the United States of America in Congress assembled.
The Frame of Government.
The people, inhabiting the territory formerly called the Province of Massachusetts Bay, do hereby solemnly and mutually agree with each other, to form themselves into a free, sovereign, and independent body politic, or state by the name of “THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS”