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The "Crittenden Compromise" was a series proposed amendments meant to forestall secession of the southern states by more or less agreeing to slavery in perpetuity.
Read more here -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crittenden_Compromise
Obviously the northerners didn't go for it. But given an earlier attempt at compromise and adequate protection of northern interests in the text as well, could a watered down resolution have pushed back secession, and if so for how long? Would an attempt at compromise need to come much earlier, and what specific assurances would both sides need to prevent outright military hostility?