Georgia alone had increased in wealth over three hundred millions of dollars, no small proportion of which was from commercial and manufacturing ventures that had proved extremely profitable.

There was never a community of the face of the globe whose condition so little justified revolution as that of the slave States in the year 1860.

Indeed, it was a sense of strength born of exceptional prosperity which led them to their rash adventure of war.
THE FIRST EFFORT AT SECESSION.
It would however be an injustice to the People of the South to say that in November, 1860, they desired, unanimously, or by a majority, or on the part of any considerable minority, to engage in a scheme of violent resistance to the National authority.

The slave-holders were in the main peacefully disposed, and contented with the situation.

But slavery as an economical institution and slavery as a political force were quite distinct.