[x]

My point exactly. The North had three times as many people and four times as many free people as well as a colder climate. It’s likely that they imported more coffee and clothing/textiles and other goods, and no amount of chandeliers or ball gowns, or whips, chains, and shackles imported by the small class of wealthy planters was likely to offset that. Now stop embarrassing yourself.

[PeaRidge]

"The North had three times as many people and four times as many free people as well as a colder climate. It’s likely that they imported more coffee and clothing/textiles and other goods..."

Well, they didn't.

During 1860 the imports of the South were valued at $331 million; those of the North at $31 million.

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557415/Confederate_States_of_America.html