The Northern dominated Congress (at Lincoln’s instigation) passed the Corwin Amendment which would have expressly protected slavery in the constitution effectively forever. In case anybody was in any doubt, the North and Lincoln made it perfectly clear that slavery was safe within the US.
“the North and Lincoln made it perfectly clear that slavery was safe within the US.”
Evidently not perfectly clear.
The following quote is from a speech given by Henry L. Benning to the Virginia Secession Convention. Benning had been a representative to the Georgia Secession Convention.
“What was the reason that induced Georgia to take the step of secession? This reason may be summed up in one single proposition. It was a conviction, a deep conviction on the part of Georgia, that a separation from the North-was the only thing that could prevent the abolition of her slavery. This conviction, sir, was the main cause.”