“You must really loathe free markets to identify them with slavery.”
Apparently he has not read Mr. Colwell’s pamphlet page 22 where he refers to Southern agriculture as has “...taken its present shape by the free choice of those concerned it it. So far as it has taken form in this country, it is the offspring of the most perfect free trade in the world”.
Since Mr. Colwell’s pamphlet reflects that position, his work must also be discounted.
You ought to know the difference. Hasn't the country been talking about it long enough.
And no, the slave system didn't take shape "by the free choice of those concerned in it."
But that doesn't change the basic point that the Deep South states were as dependent on New York (and the North and Britain) as anybody else anywhere was dependent on them.
Indeed, regions that concentrate on producing raw materials and don't develop industries and leave their financial affairs in the hands of others, are more dependent than those who diversify their economy.