[Homer_J_Simpson]

Note the last item on page 17, “South Carolina Ready for Secession.”

[colorado tanker]

I think you're right. John Brown lit the match.

It sounds crazy 150 years later, being willing to put the Union asunder just to keep the right own people as property.

[BroJoeK]

Homer_J_Simpson: "Note the last item on page 17, 'South Carolina Ready for Secession.' "

Worth repeating here:

"SOUTH CAROLINA READY FOR SECESSION

Governor Gist, of South Carolina, sent his message to the Legislature on November 30 {1859}.
In reference to the relations of the South to the North, he takes bold and decided ground against the agitators of the North and in favor of a separation in the event of the election of a Black Republican President.

The following resolutions were offered in the South Carolina House on the same day:

'Resolved, That the State of South Carolina is ready to enter, together with the other slaveholding States or such as desire present action, into the formation of a Southern Confederacy.
Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward this resolution to the various Southern Executives.'

Another resolution was offered, asking official information as to the condition of the State arsenals, arms, amunition, number of men enrolled in the State militia, the style of their arms, etc."

Well worth noting several facts here:

1. This is still 1859, a year before the election of 1860, when nobody yet knows who will be the candidates of any party, yet the South Carolina Governor is urging secession & Confederacy if any "Black Republican" becomes President.

2. Note the reasons are all about John Brown and perceived Northern threats against slavery.
   There is no mention here, or anywhere else, of tariffs or any other alleged Northern economic "oppression".

3. Note also that concurrent with threat of secession is inquiry into preparations for war.