Did the Constitution allow for emancipation?

Slavery was debated vehemently during the years in question. Southern representatives were against emancipation, others wished to end it. Because the issue was so volatile, the Constitution and the Founders did not push the issue, as it created a division. They wished to build a country..... not break it apart into what would be a war..... directly after the war that was just fought.

The Founders did, however, teach by example. Jefferson noted "all men are created equal" and subsequently freed his slaves upon his death. George Washington also freed his slaves upon his death, something that became controversial because those slaves actually belonged to his wife, and it was assumed they would be a part of Martha's estate. We also have John and Abigail Adams, who abhored slavery and all it stood for. Thus, as you can see, slavery heavily weighed on those involved in creating and approving the constitution, but it would take the act of President Lincoln to proclaim emancipation, a right he held as President of the United States.