The delegates were right to compromise over slavery because, despite the anti-slavery sentiments of many of the delegates, the southern representatives were not about to compromise the cornerstone of their economy. Demanding an immediate end of slavery would have caused them to walk out, jeopardizing the new nation. Therefore, the delegates kept slavery but left provisions for the elimination of slavery at a later date. Also, they added the three-fifths clause, which essentially hamstrung the southern states' ability to use slaves to inflate their population and therefore their representation in the House of Representatives
