[DiogenesLamp]

I am curious, how in circa 1860 did the Fedgov refuse to honor the Constitution as written? Real question,

Article 4, section 2. They absolutely refused to enforce it.

It may be an immoral clause, but the legal system is supposed to enforce the law as written, even when they don't like it.

[robowombat]

Now I will have to look that up.

[BroJoeK]

robowambat: "I am curious, how in circa 1860 did the Fedgov refuse to honor the Constitution as written? Real question,"

DiogenesLamp: "Article 4, section 2.
They absolutely refused to enforce it.
It may be an immoral clause, but the legal system is supposed to enforce the law as written, even when they don't like it."

More lies from DiogenesLamp.
In fact the 1850 Compromise moved enforcement of Fugitive Slave Laws from the states to the Federal Government and empowered Feds to force states compliance.
And from 1801 onwards, Federal government was under the nearly continuous control of Southern Democrats.
From 1853 to 1861 Democrats ruled the Presidency, Senate & Supreme Court so could dictate whatever terms they wanted.
In four of those eight years they also controlled the House and so had no excuse if Federal government didn't give them what they wanted.