[Mr Ramsbotham]

Since we’re into Southerners vs Northerners, we might want to ask again -— was the civil war between the American North and South about slavery as the standard talking heads want us to believe, or was it about state rights and the right to self-determination?

If only we had some kind of documents from the time that listed the reasons why the various states seceded--only then could we answer that question. As it is, we can only speculate.

[Balding_Eagle]

With my ignorance of history on full display, I ask, are you being serious, or sarcastic?

[r9etb]

If only we had some kind of documents from the time that listed the reasons why the various states seceded--only then could we answer that question. As it is, we can only speculate.

lol.... you mean, like these ones? As the gentlemen of Mississippi put it:

Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery-- the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth. These products are peculiar to the climate verging on the tropical regions, and by an imperious law of nature, none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun. These products have become necessities of the world, and a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization. That blow has been long aimed at the institution, and was at the point of reaching its consummation. There was no choice left us but submission to the mandates of abolition, or a dissolution of the Union, whose principles had been subverted to work out our ruin.

Yes, it sure would be nice if we had something like that..... ;-)