Kente Cloth Worn By Democrats Was ‘Historically Worn’ By African Empire Involved In Slave Trade, Fact Checker Says
When a second vote on the 13th amendment was taken on January 31, 1865, the outcome was still far from certain. Rumors of a Confederate peace overture made backers concerned that Democrats might not want to derail potential talks by passing an inflammatory measure. The chamber grew silent as House of Representatives Speaker Schuyler Colfax declared the results with a quiver in his voice: “On the passage of the joint resolution to amend the Constitution of the United States, the ayes have 119, the noes 56.” The measure passed by the narrowest of margins, with eight members abstaining. Sixteen Democrats, all but two lame ducks, joined the full slate of Republicans in approving the measure.