I'll not debate the morality of owning another human being. If one wishes to view a human being as property, very well. That is their choice. I, personally, reject it. I further decline to enter unto a discussion whereupon sentient human beings are used as discussion points in a debate on economic theft.
The Civil War forged a common nation.
No, what the civil war did was destroy states rights and impose the largest eminent domain scandal the country has yet to see. 2 billion dollars worth of privately help property was taken and freed with no compensation for the owners.
Regardless of how you and I feel about slavery today, the Union took, from Southern owners, over 2 billion dollars, in 1860 dollars, worth of slaves with no compensation whatsoever.
No, my friend, the civil war did not forge one country, the North simply imposed a mightier force to subdue a movement to regain freedom and maintain states rights.
My Point, Thumper, was that the Civil War did not forge a nation, it destroyed States Rights, and opened the door for eminent domain takings that are becoming more and more wrong.