Is it?
Why do I say this?
The north had the overwhelming interest in manufacturing. A high protective tariff helped them much more than it would the fewer manufacturers in the south. And yet the tariff was low -- lower in fact in 1860 than in 40 years. This is a datum. It is in the records. Alexander Stephens made the point that the tariff was "exactly" what southerners made it.
Now, look at the record --- You won't consult the record.
The record shows that you are wrong. Southern interests were served much more in the ante bellum US than northern interests were.
You said in #202:
Are you suggesting that the Federal Government in no way attempted to dictate to the Southern States or otherwise interfere with what THEY saw as their conduct of commerce?
That statement is simply not suppported in the record.
Walt
Looks like we'll just have to agree to disagree. You will continue to pick and choose the data that you can hold up to support your contention. I will disagree with you, for I see the Civil War era wholly differently. Guess that's the way it will stay. However, one little friendly hint: it doesn't serve your argument by insinuating that the other party doesn't have a clue what they're talking about or is, otherwise, an idiot.