...the Confederation." Thirteen years later, at the Constitutional Convention, Rutledge declared that the "true question at present is whether the Southern States shall or shall not be parties to the Union."13 We need not fault historians for reporting this militant defense of slavery in the Lower...

...nations. 53 Bowen, Miracle at Philadelphia, 192 - 195 54 Madison, Debates, August 6 55 Ibid., August 8 The true question at present is whether the Southern States shall or shall not be parties to the Union."56 The matter regarding the importation of slaves was assigned to a committee which reported...

...humanity had nothing to do with this question. Interest alone is the governing principle with nations. The true question at present is, whether the Southern...States shall or shall not be parties to the Union. If the Northen States consult their interest, they will not oppose the increase of slaves, which will...