Well that dovetails with another of my points. It was propaganda for them too, meaning it was illusory rather than real.
What was the reality? Money was the reality. All the talk and hype don't disguise the numbers when you take the time to look at the numbers. Most people stop at the hype, and never bother looking at the numbers, but the numbers tell the truth.
"now the mask has been thrown off and it is apparent that the people of the principal seceding states are now for commercial independence. They dream that the centres of traffic can be changed from Northern to Southern ports . . . by a revenue system verging on free trade. . . . The government would be false to its obligations if this state of things were not provided against.
The Boston Transcript March 18, 1861
.
.
“We apprehend, that the Cotton States, especially the chief instigator of the present troubles—South Carolina,—have all along for years been preparing the way for the adoption of the policy of free trade.”
Newark Daily Advertiser April 2, 1861
you are entitled to your opinion.