[ROCKLOBSTER]

...there were not two sides....Some states did not permit buying and selling within their borders

Well?

they weren’t permitted to take slaves away from those who had them.

And who had the power to grant or deny that permission?

[xzins]

Which flag were we under is the discussion at the moment.

However, the court ruled something almost identical to that in Dred Scott, but it had been the practice prior under other rulings/understandings.

So, it was primarily driven by the federal government.