"The Constitution a Pro-Slavery Compact" presents excerpts from the Madison Papers and other historical documents to argue that the United States Constitution was fundamentally designed to protect and perpetuate the institution of slavery. Published in 1856, this work reflects the passionate abolitionist sentiments of the time, challenging the prevailing interpretations of the Constitution and its relationship to human bondage.
Wendell Phillips, a prominent abolitionist, likely compiled and introduced these extracts to bolster the argument against slavery. By highlighting the compromises made during the drafting of the Constitution, particularly those addressing the representation of enslaved people and the fugitive slave clause, the text aims to expose what it argues is the inherent pro-slavery bias within the nation's founding document. This work serves as a historical artifact of the debates surrounding slavery and its impact on American political and social thought during the lead-up to the Civil War. Its enduring value lies in its critical perspective on constitutional history and its contribution to the abolitionist cause.
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