Corwin Amendment: Still Pending in Congress Since 1861

Recently, while brushing up on my knowledge of the U.S. political system I discovered something called the Corwin Amendment. I found it interesting that in 1861 a proposed amendment was offered that would prevent future attempts to amend the Constitution. 1861.

Here’s what wiki says about it:

The Corwin Amendment is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution passed by the 36th Congress, 2nd Session, on March 2, 1861, in the form of House (Joint) Resolution No. 13. It would forbid subsequent attempts to amend the Constitution to empower the Congress to “abolish or interfere” with the “domestic institutions” of the states, including “persons held to labor or service” (a reference to slavery).

Abraham Lincoln, in his first inaugural address, said of the Corwin Amendment:^[14][15]

I understand a proposed amendment to the Constitution—which amendment, however, I have not seen—has passed Congress, to the effect that the Federal Government shall never interfere with the domestic institutions of the States, including that of persons held to service….holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law, I have no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.

 

The Corwin Amendment is still PENDING…..again, proposed in 1861.