[rockrr]

Of course there was an existential threat to the survival of the union. The south set itself up not only to be direct competitors for the resources of the continent but hostile competitors vowed to cheat, steal, and murder to get their way.

[DiogenesLamp]

Of course there was an existential threat to the survival of the union. The south set itself up not only to be direct competitors for the resources of the continent but hostile competitors vowed to cheat, steal, and murder to get their way.

Did someone mention Hyperbole earlier? Yes, i'm sure the 22 wealthy and powerful Union states were gravely threatened by the doings of the 11 poorer and weaker states.