[Non-Sequitur]

You answered nothing. You floated ideas that I pointed out would not and could not have worked. Legislation was futile because it alone could never end slavery, or even make an real dent in it. And amendment would naot have been passed for the simple reason that the south had no interest in ending slavery through compensation or any other means. They would have blocked constitutional amendments.

[4CJ]

You answered nothing. You floated ideas that I pointed out would not and could not have worked.

Were not slaves considered property in the Dred Scott decision? Does Congress have the power to regulate trade? Can the federal government seize property - if compsensation is provided? Yes to all three. The simple fact is that the North did not want blacks to be freed because they would have to pay the owners, the blacks might possibly migrate into their states, and if they didn't, Southern representation in Congress woul be increased. Options the North did not want.