Exactly what market did Wigfall expect the North to lose that was going to break them? Certanly not the south. That the few hundred thousand people in the south who could afford anything manufactured in the north were a blip compaired to the millions of customers in the north. Perhaps he thought cutting off the Mississippi would strangle the midwest. If so, he was wrong. Goods moved east on railroads, the Ohio river and across the Great Lakes until Grant opened the Mississippi in July 63. It was the south that cut itself off first with an insane embargo of cotton and second by never investing in a navy or industry.
As far as direct taxation, the CSA did it too, and to every lowely farmer, not just "high-wage" individuals like the north. The Union income tax did not kick in until income was over $800/year --- a lot of money in the 1860s.
Wigfalls predictions were about as reliable as the National Enquirer's. Both sides agreed the guy was a nut case.
There was no middle class in Ivanhoe.
Walt
The South indeed, and if you had enough economic background to take a look at export figures around 1860, you would know why.
As far as direct taxation, the CSA did it too
Tu quoque excuse making does not escape the problem of yankee direct taxation or that Wigfall's prediction came true. Surely you know the fallacy in your attempted diversion, do you not?