What was the Constitution silent on AND how did Congress and the USCT attempt to deal with the silence?

The Constitution was largely silent on the issue of slavery, particularly in terms of its regulation and the rights of enslaved individuals. To address this silence, Congress enacted various compromises, such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850, which sought to balance the interests of slave and free states. Additionally, the United States Colored Troops (USCT) played a significant role during the Civil War by fighting for their freedom and rights, thus challenging the constitutional silence on slavery and pushing for a re-evaluation of its legality. Their contributions helped to catalyze the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.