Bobert--

Sorry, I respect your views, your experience, and your musicianship a lot--I think you know that.

But if we're discussing history--and trying to project into the future at a juncture in history-- all we have to go on is the historical facts up to that time.

And the facts, as far as I know, are all on the pro-slavery side--- slavery in 1861 showed absolutely no signs of dying out in the South. In fact, the slavocrats were just fine with the system they had devised--and had plans to expand it.

As I've said before, I'm very willing to learn new facts--so if you have them, please share--especially if, for instance, they show a hitherto-unknown--at least I don't know about it---strong abolition movement in the South, for instance, before 1861.

We're all always learning--and I certainly don't claim to be the ultimate authority on anything. But facts are needed.