At that time, much of the POLITICAL leadership of the South consisted of slave owners. Most of the PEOPLE did not own slaves. Couldn't afford them and didn't want them.
The idea of expanding slavery into the new territories was not directly addressed in the Constitution and slavery was not abolished in the U.S. until December of 1865.
At that time, much of the POLITICAL leadership of the South consisted of slave owners. Most of the PEOPLE did not own slaves. Couldn't afford them and didn't want them. I don't own any factory equipment, but if someone were trying to abolish factory equipment where I live, I think I might have an interest in other people's keeping it.