[mrsmith]

Earlier though the opportunity was there but not the will.
IIRC all states were on board with Madison’s proposal during the NW Territories negotiation- except for SC which was dependent on (rice or indigo, I forget) plantations.

There’s lesson for us today in how the interests of the ‘elite’ prevented the South from taking long-term economic actions that would have benefitted all.

[x]

Earlier though the opportunity was there but not the will.

True. During the Revolution there was talk of arming slaves and freeing them after the war, but SC slaveowners wouldn't be convinced. Before 1830 or so, there were plenty of plans for emancipation, but eventually, high cotton profits killed off such projects.