Scarlett, I assure you that I am every Inch a gentlemen devoted piously to the protection, pleasure and elevation of the female sex. Every woman who has ever had dealings with me will willingly testify to that.
However, I decline to be considered a gentleman as defined by a culture based completely and irretrivably upon the institution of slavery. A means of economic development at least two levels of history below its level in the 19th century. Slavery allows an economic life on the whole less than feudalism as well as capitalism. This does limit the rest of social development even if not to the extent that Marx believed.
Thus, all activity and all forces designed to prolong this abomination within the American nation were anti-Republican, anti-American and anti-human. Yet, even so there would have been no war had the idiotic leadership of the Slaveocracy not insisted on fighting because they could see the rest of the nation turning against slavery. Rather than adopt a constitutional method of ending slavery they chose to attempt destruction of the Union, sacred to all the best of the Founders, to save and exalt the Hideous Institution.
Have a Dixie Day!