Yea...hey butthead....slavery was protected under law. LAW.....
“Slavery was protected under LAW”
And rape, when committed against a slave at the order of slave owners, was protected under law. Assault, when committed against a slave at the order of a slave owner was protected under law. Theft, when committed against a slave at the order of the slave owner, was protected under law.
The southern gentlemen committed treason in an attempt to further and extend slavery. The legitimately constituted US government, would not permit such treason, and was able to find many allies that would help such a good government against such an evil cause. At the end, the laws were thankfully, changed.