V.
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall
deem necessary, or on the application of two-thirds[85]
of the
legislatures [86]
of the several states, shall propose amendments
to this constitution, which shall be valid to all intents and
purposes, as part thereof, when the same shall have been
ratified by three-fourths at least of[87]
the legislatures [88]
of the
several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as
the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by
the Congress: Provided, that no amendment which may be
made prior to the year 1808 shall in any manner affect the
—
[89]
and
[90]
—section
[91]
of
[92]
article
