Righting the Wrong

The ratification of the 13th Amendment by the State of Mississippi stands as a unique chapter in the annals of American history. This Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States, was adopted by Congress on January 31, 1865, and ratified by the requisite number of states by December 6 of the same year. However, Mississippi, a state deeply entrenched in the economic and social fabric of slavery, did not officially ratify the Amendment until 130 years later, on March 16, 1995. This delayed ratification raises questions about the reasons behind the procrastination and the nature of the debate that took place when the state finally decided to ratify the Amendment.

The initial rejection of the 13th Amendment by Mississippi’s legislature in 1865 was not an anomaly but rather a reflection of the prevalent attitudes towards slavery and racial equality in the Southern states. Mississippi, like many of its Southern counterparts, had an economy deeply reliant on slave labor, and the social hierarchy was intrinsically linked to the institution of slavery. The end of the Civil War and the subsequent push for abolition were seen as direct threats to the state’s way of life.

The journey towards the eventual ratification of the 13th Amendment by Mississippi is a study in historical oversight and procedural anomaly. The Amendment had long been in effect, having been ratified by the required three-fourths of the states shortly after its proposal. Mississippi’s ratification would not change the legal status quo but was more a symbolic gesture, acknowledging the state’s compliance with the constitutional mandate abolishing slavery.

It wasn’t until 1995 that the oversight came to light, thanks in part to the efforts of individuals who recognized the importance of symbolic gestures in the process of reconciliation and healing. The push for ratification was less about legal necessity and more about the state’s acknowledgment of its past and a commitment to move forward.

The debate surrounding the ratification of the 13th Amendment in Mississippi was multifaceted. On one hand, there were those who saw the ratification as a long-overdue formal acknowledgment of a historical wrong. For supporters, ratification was a symbolic act that represented Mississippi’s willingness to recognize its past mistakes and commit itself to a future of equality and justice.

On the other hand, some questioned the relevance of ratifying an amendment that had been in effect for over a century. Critics argued that the act was purely symbolic and did little to address the ongoing issues of racial inequality and discrimination that continued to plague the state and the country.

Despite the debates and differing opinions, the Mississippi legislature voted to ratify the 13th Amendment in 1995. However, due to a clerical oversight, the ratification was not officially recorded with the U.S. Archivist until 2013, adding another layer of delay to Mississippi’s formal acknowledgment of the Amendment.

Mississippi’s delayed ratification of the 13th Amendment serves as a reminder of the long shadows cast by the history of slavery in the United States. While the ratification in 1995 may have been largely symbolic, symbols hold power in their ability to reflect societal values and commitments to justice and equality. The story of Mississippi and the 13th Amendment highlights the importance of acknowledging past injustices as a step towards healing and reconciliation, no matter how delayed that acknowledgment may be.

Biloxi (MS) Sun Herald, January 13, 1995