Slavery and the Constitution

by William I. (William Ingersoll) Bowditch

"Slavery and the Constitution" by William I. Bowditch is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The text examines the complex relationship between the institution of slavery in the United States and the principles enshrined in the Constitution. Bowditch critiques the justifications employed by proponents of slavery, particularly as they relate to morality, religion, and law, while delineating the moral failings inherent in the institution of slavery itself. At the start of the book, Bowditch introduces the deeply entrenched views of slavery as divinely sanctioned, highlighting the role of influential religious leaders who supported the practice. He outlines the grim reality of nearly three million enslaved individuals in the Southern states who were held under a system sustained by both ignorance and the complicity of educated members of society. The opening chapters set the stage for a critical analysis of the moral and ethical implications of slavery, arguing that the system fundamentally violates the natural rights and dignity of individuals, regardless of their material conditions. Bowditch aims to articulate a strong moral opposition to slavery, arguing that it corrupts both the enslaved and the enslavers, as well as underlining the constitutional inconsistencies surrounding the acceptance of such a system.