The problem is that slavery was NOT withering away in the late 1850s. It was by all evidence thriving, with slave prices hitting their absolute highest point in 1860.
The price of any capital investment is based on the general perception of its future profitability. Therefore, by definition, in 1860 slave buyers did not expect slavery to begin withering away.
That is simply a projection into the past of post-war attitudes.
Well you will admit Lincoln was in the great compromise camp and willing to go the status quo.
I guess my question is this ....if the Supreme Court had not stuck their nose in this in other words no Dred Scott or similar ruling....
And Congress had continue to handle issue of “the peculiar institution” as they had..as Lincoln, in his Cooper Union address say they had the right to do under the Constitution....
What would have been the eventual outcome in regards to slavery?
Lincoln himself, using the fact the Constitutions had a provision banning the importation of slaves to point out from day one the framers of the Constitution wanted and thought a federal right to slowly dry up slavery...else why the interfering in legal importation of slaves if was the same as any other trade???...
Because slavery was not normal business it was a uniquely “peculiar institution”..acknowledged by all as such ....hence the nickname “peculiar institution”