Amendment XIII

Section 1

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

My Opinion: This is the first of three amendments referred to as the "Civil War Amendments." This single amendment changed America for the better in many ways. It did take a very very long time for America to come to this point as did many other important issues. All we can be thankful for is that it finally did happen.

Barrack Obama "Thirteenth Amendment"/Slavery

My Opinion: This video gave be goosebumps when I first watched it. It really makes things real with how the country could be now if this Amendment was not passed when it was. It is so amazing how something as simple as this can change the lives of millions no matter what their race was.

ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.
Adoption of the Amendment to the Constitution by Congress.

The New York Herald - Our Special Washington Despatch.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 1865.

The Constitutional Amendment was passed this afternoon by a vote of one hundred and nineteen to fifty-six. The scene was one to be remembered by all who were privileged to be present. The floor of the hall was crowded, as were the galleries, the intense interest of the occasion having attracted the large numbers present.

At the commencement of the session Mr. Ashley, who had the amendment in charge, gave notice that at three oa vote was desired; but it was not until after four P.M. that a vote was reached. Several members discussed the amendment until that time. Mr. Kalbfleisch, of New York, made a speech against the amendment, in which he presented the case in opposition with much ability; but he failed to convince the House. Mr. Sweat, of Maine, was the only New England representative who voted against it. Mr. Oux, of Ohio, had a letter from Mr. Guthrie, of Kentucky, urging him to vote for it, but could not see his way clear to do it, and his vote was finally recorded against it.

Of the New York representatives seven democrats voted for the amendment, namely: Messrs. Odell, Ganson, Steele, Radford, Nelson, Herrick and Griswold. These were nineteen votes in favor of the amendment from representatives of slave States, and in all twenty democrats in its favor. Of the New England delegation only one - Mr. Sweat, of Maine - voted against it. Every republican member was in his seat, and voted in its favor.

Upon the announcement of the vote loud and continuous cheering arose spontaneously from the crowd on the floor and in the galleries, and the House immediately adjourned.

This success has inspired a jubilant feeling throughout the city, and the ante-rooms of the hotels were crowded this evening, and general congratulation and rejoicing were indulged in. A salute of one hundred guns was fired immediately upon the passage of the amendment in its honor.

My Opinion: It's hard to imagine what relief people felt when this was finally passed. The lives of millions were in the hands of these voters. To be apart of this announcement would be life changing to me, and I'm sure anyone else. It is a shame that it took so long for it to happen but the up side to that is that it finally did. What these voters would do is change America forever.