Hogwash. See my #9.
By making slavery a “state right” and seceding, the South chose to damage the Republic.
I did, hence my comment about the roots of the slave trade because of your tagline.
And, I must somewhat respectfully disagree that the South damaged the Republic. By original concept, the states had the right to reject the mandates of the federal government, up to and including the right to "quit the club."
Or, was the Republic like the Mafia: Once you join, you're in for life.
I'm not defending the practice of slavery. That odious practice was bound to fail at some point or another. I just found (and find) it ironic that our current mortal enemy sewed the seeds of our destruction over 200 years ago.