[mkjessup]

I think the pertinent question is “would America be better or worse off now if the South had won the War Between The States?”

[carton253]

Could have been. Could not have been. We don’t know. So, I don’t think it is the pertinent question. It is a very good “what if” question though.

[MamaTexan]

I think the pertinent question is “would America be better or worse off now if the South had won the War Between The States?”

Questions composed of pure conjecture serve no purpose.

If the South had won the war (or, Heaven forbid, the Constitution was abided by and the right to leave the compact was acknowledged), perhaps Americans would still be Citizens of one of these united States instead of 'U.S. citizens'.

U.S. v. Anthony 24 Fed. 829 (1873)
"The term resident and citizen of the United States is distinguished from a Citizen of one of the several states, in that the former is a special class of citizen created by Congress."

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The Founders carefully bound the federal power so it could operate in only exclusive and enumerated areas. Under the auspices of freeing the slaves, the Union released those bonds.

"The constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Patrick Henry

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What's the term FReepers use to refer to those who unknowingly assist others to achieve a hidden agenda?

'Useful idiot', I believe.