Honor
The missing Amendment is referred to as the "title of nobility"
Amendment, but the second prohibition against "honour" (honor), may be more
significant.
According to David Dodge, Tom Dunn, and Webster's Dictionary, the archaic definition of
"honor" (as used when the 13th Amendment was ratified) meant anyone
"obtaining or having an advantage or privilege over another". A contemporary
example of an "honor" granted to only a few Americans is the privilege of being
a judge: Lawyers can be judges and exercise the attendant privileges and powers;
non-lawyers cannot.
By prohibiting "honors", the missing Amendment prohibits any advantage or
privilege that would grant some citizens an unequal opportunity to achieve or exercise
political power. Therefore, the second meaning (intent) of the 13th Amendment was to
ensure political equality among all American citizens, by prohibiting anyone, even
government officials, from claiming or exercising a special privilege or power (an
"honor") over other citizens.
If this interpretation is correct, "honor" would be the key concept in the 13th
Amendment. Why? Because, while "titles of nobility" may no longer apply in
today's political system, the concept of "honor" remains relevant.
For example, anyone who had a specific "immunity" from lawsuits which were not
afforded to all citizens, would be enjoying a separate privilege, an "honor",
and would therefore forfeit his right to vote or hold public office. Think of the
"immunities" from lawsuits that our judges, lawyers, politicians, and
bureaucrats currently enjoy.
As another example, think of all the "special interest" legislation our
government passes: "special interests" are simply euphemisms for "special
privileges" (honors).