That is simply not so, Walt. Economic trade theory dictates the inseparable relationship of imports and exports. The south accounted for some 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the nation's exports during the pre-war period. It is therefore idiocy to suggest that a protectionist import tariff would not affect them in a significant way and likely place most of the burden on their back.
The record (which this Bozo ignores) shows that all southern ports COMBINED collected less revenue than Philadelphia.
That's nice but wholly irrelevant. By definition it is not the object of a PROTECTIONIST tariff to collect REVENUE. The bulk cost of a PROTECTIONIST tariff is, by that tariff's very nature, felt elsewhere than to the small ammounts of revenue it happens to bring in.
The record, also eschewed by the author also shows that tariffs -- such as they were-- were lower in 1860 than at least since 1816,
Yet all that changed by 1861 thanks to several victories scored by the the protectionists in 1860 well before secession started.
and since 1846 a "free trade" environment prevailed in this country.
Not entirely. Free trade tax policy prevailed until the Morrill Act came into effect in 1861. Free trade sentiment also prevailed between the late 1840's and 1857. A recession in 1857 gave a rebirth to protectionists who, although erronious, blamed the economy's downturn on free trade and were able to draw enough political support on it to reinstate protectionism. The House passed the Morrill bill on strictly sectional lines in May 1860, setting it all into motion. By the time The Lincoln, a staunch protectionist, was elected the movement was in full force.
That is simply not so, Walt. Economic trade theory dictates the inseparable relationship of imports and exports.
Big deal. The record shows that 75% of the tariff revenue was collected in northern ports. That is where 75% of the consumers were. Theory doesn't matter.
Any one who -will- see, -can- see that the way you seek to distort the perception of these events is as lame as lame can be.
Walt