[smug]

What you and others are missing here is the overall picture. The "Union" was fragile from the very beginning. The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union were anything thing but, and on the verge of dissolution. The original colonies were basically divided into three fractions; The New England States, The Mid Atlantic States, and The Deep South.

After The Constitution was ratified; in an attempt to fix the fragile "Union", Trouble was not far away, The New England States threatened to secede in 1814. Next South Carolina threatened secession in 1832 during the Nullification Crisis, over tariffs. They probably would have had the other Deep South states stepped up and had their back.

Now neither of these two examples show any connection to slavery, just a tedious alliance of States. What I am trying to say is that Slavery may have been the excuse in 1861 but not the roots of the cause. I believe that these roots are now putting forth new shoots without race/creed/religion/ or national origin having anything to do with it.

[Non-Sequitur]

What I am trying to say is that Slavery may have been the excuse in 1861 but not the roots of the cause.

I would disagree