[ansel12]

You didn’t read the article did you?

[Old Professer]

I didn’t read the whole thread before I posted either; hate when that happens.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

No, I didn't read beyond the excerpt. Maybe the watchmaker did not know at the time, but the rebels knew that their secessions were entirely based on defending slavery as their own words show:

"Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery-- the greatest material interest of the world."