King's Hosts Constitution Day Event

Professor David Tubbs speaks during the Constitution Day Event. | Photo courtesy of The King’s College

On Thursday, Sept. 9, The King’s College hosted an event celebrating Constitution Day featuring historian David W. Blight of Yale University and Dr. Lucas Morel of Washington and Lee University. The speakers discussed historical figures’ interpretations of the United States Constitution to celebrate the 234th anniversary of its signing. 

The lecture’s purpose was to “encourage Constitutional literacy,” Dr. David Tubbs, a professor at The King’s College moderating the event said. 

“My task here is to give you a sense of Frederick Douglass’ path as a thinker from a vision of the Constitution as pro-slavery to a robust anti-slavery interpretation,” said Dr. Blight.

He emphasized the evolution of Douglass’ views toward the Constitution throughout the course of his lifetime. The Constitution, according to Douglass, aime to be protective of slave owners at best and staunchly pro-slavery at worst.

The Fifth Amendment appeared to protect the slave-owners’ right to ownership insofar as slaves were considered property. The Tenth Amendment, which forfeited all rights not enumerated by the Constitution to the states, protected their individual ability to perpetuate slavery within their borders.

Dr. Blight further pointed out that Douglass’ perception of the Constitution changed as he was exposed to thinkers, such as Abraham Lincoln, who argued that the document was not, in fact, pro-slavery. 

“Douglass changed his mind; it’s okay to change your mind,” said Blight.

| Dr. David Blight | Photo courtesy of The King’s College

At this point, the lecture turned to Dr. Morel. He presented Lincoln’s view that the Founding Fathers had to concede some power to advocates of slavery in order to gain the support of southern states. Lincoln stood by his interpretation that the Founding Fathers, and the Constitution itself, were not altogether pro-slavery, citing the eventual prohibition of foreign slave trade.

“The Framers of the Constitution cut off foreign slave trade and prohibited the spread of slavery. Both acts show conclusively that they believed the thing was wrong,” said Morel. 

| Dr. Lucas Morel | Photo courtesy of The King’s College

Further, President Lincoln and Douglass came to the agreement that the very first line of the Preamble necessarily includes all people in the states. Dr. Blight here pointed to the words “We the people…” emboldened at the very beginning of the Constitution.

“‘Its language is ‘we the people;’ not we the white people, not we the citizens, not we the privileged class, not we the high, not we the low, but we the people,’” Blight said, quoting Douglass’ words. “If black people are people, they are in the Constitution. Slavery can only be protected by state law, not federal law.” 

Moreover, as Douglass himself argued, the Three-Fifths Compromise encouraged slave states to free their enslaved peoples if for no other reason than to increase their Congressional representation.

Highlighting the evolution of Douglass’ interpretation of the Constitution, the lecture reminded students in the room that there is always a debate to be had in politics, that there is value in hearing the interpretations of others, and that changing your mind in light of new evidence is not only acceptable but encouraged.

“I think I have the truth, that my principle is almighty; I have to test it. And then test it again, and test it again because it might not be the correct truth,” Blight said. “Learning pragmatism is not easy, but it is ultimately the only way great historical changes occur.”