[rockrr]

The only way the Federal government could end slavery would have been through abusive means (such as a tariff on cotton exports) intended to bankrupt the plantation system or through the outright usurpation of unconstitutional powers.

The United States Constitution provided the means to end slavery - the amendment process. But there was no pressure to abolish slavery. The new president said that he had no intention to change the status quo.

By the way, tariffs on exports are unconstitutional.

[DiogenesLamp]

The United States Constitution provided the means to end slavery - the amendment process. But there was no pressure to abolish slavery. The new president said that he had no intention to change the status quo.

Oh, so you do understand that the "right" to own human beings was going to be protected by Lincoln?

So why did this "right" which Lincoln was going to continue, become unacceptable when people wanted to get free of Lincoln's control?