“But I also put forth the idea that their stated reasons for secession are very likely not their real reason for secession, and the Northern newspapers quoted above by PeaRidge indicate that the Northern newspapers perceived their real reason was to gain commercial independence.”
What kind of cherries do you prefer, maraschino or bing?
If you believe there is evidence that secession would have produced no negative economic effect on the Northern power brokers, offer it up for us to consider.
You can't accuse me of cherry picking when the only available evidence all falls into the same category. They can't all be cherries.