Because Greg they considered the states and not the federal government the ultimate authority. The history channel did a two part documtary on the causes. Slavery was the means to an end not the cause. Most people in the south did not own slaves only the large landowners. However if it took a war to get rid of that evil it was worth it in my opinion. The sholars on the history channel said no one except very few people would have fought to maintain it as the bulk did not nor could afford slaves. They were sold the goods that states have the ultimate authority and the North was told it was to remove slaves. Prior to that selling point most in the north felt it was an evil South problem. Think about it they nothing about it since the founding of the country. It was a talking point for preachers and the religious community. It wasn't till the federal government used it to as an issue did it become one. It did not start the war but was a part of it. Anyway it was just to remove that abject evil thankfully. Imo