[BroJoeK]

CatherineofAragon: "Well, let’s not get wrapped up in a blanket of Yankee self-righteousness.
We should remember that slavery existed in the North as well as in the South, and that there was still a small number of slaves in New Jersey as late as 1860."

I'd suspect it's your fear of "Yankee self-righteousness" which drives a lot of responses here, as opposed to some more etherial love of factually correct history... ;-)

If we are interested in real history, then it might help to remember that slavery was abolished very slowly in the north and west (i.e., Illinois), and had it continued that course, might eventually have been abolished in some border states, such as Delaware and Maryland.

But (and it's a huge "but"), in the Deep South, slavery was a way of life so deeply built into the prosperous economy and Southern culture that abolition could not even be discussed with those people.
That's why the mere election of a "Black Republican" such as Abraham Lincoln, was cause enough to not only declare their secession, but also to start and formally declare war on the United States.

So, these facts have nothing to do with "Yankee self-righteousness", they are simply the truth of the matter.

[JCBreckenridge]

Take a look at that 1860 election and ask yourself if you believe a man who obtained 30 percent of the electorate was fit to become president.

[CatherineofAragon]

"I'd suspect it's your fear of "Yankee self-righteousness" which drives a lot of responses here,"

LOL

Oh, yes, Joe. You've hit on it. We're scared to death of Yankees. In fact, we're trembling like chihuahuas crapping tacks. /s

The arrogance is amazing....and funny!

At least you recognize your self-righteousness and are able to admit to it. That's a step in the right direction. You can heal now.

[humblegunner]

Yankees fold their pizza.

Your argument is invalid.