Pretty simple It was about Southern states not being happy being told what to do by the Northern states. It was about state power versus the power of the federal government. Yes some southern leaders had slaves but that’s not why the war started or why thousands of soldiers signed up to fight for their state.
Alexander Stephens was against Secession btw so even if he gave that speech that wasn’t the reason for the war.
Also finally abolishing slavery wasn’t even announced by Lincoln until half way through the civil war when he saw an opportunity to weaken the southern by incentivising southern slaves to rise up against their masters. |