A measure of the importance placed on the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which outlawed slavery, is this ceremonial copy signed by its supporters. Members of Congress signed this copy after the bill passed in their respective houses. Although the president was not required to sign the amendment, Lincoln added his signature on February 1, 1865. He did not live to see it become law.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Ceremonial Copy of the Thirteenth Amendment, 1864-1865
Abolishing Slavery
The issue of slavery was not directly addressed by the authors of the Constitution, but by the mid-19th century, slavery became the most divisive issue Congress faced. Petitions against slavery were received as early as the First Congress. As settlers moved west, the question of slavery in the territories periodically dominated Congressional debate. While committed foremost to preserving the Union, Abraham Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery. His plans for gradual emancipation, which recognized states’ rights and the economic ramifications of slavery, were not effective. At the close of the Civil War, Congress passed an amendment to abolish slavery, which was quickly ratified by the states.
A measure of the importance placed on the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which outlawed slavery, is this ceremonial copy signed by its supporters. Members of Congress signed this copy after the bill passed in their respective houses. Although the president was not required to sign the amendment, Lincoln added his signature on February 1, 1865. He did not live to see it become law.
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
