Yes, well that's the kind of thing I was thinking of but I would like to
see the reasoning for that particular argument. Reasons that may or may not
have existed at the time; lack of popular support, international criticism,
population growth providing for field-hand work, etc. Where might I be able
to get a copy of the article you have cited here?

And I don't necessarily mean a historian postulating after the fact. It
would be more interesting and reliable to see the takes of political
thinkers and lawmakers at the time before the war. Such as the article you
have recommended seems to be.

David




At 02:03 PM 2/5/2002 -0600, you wrote:
> > I cannot think of a historian who has theorized
> > about this alternative history.
>
>    The closest thing I can think of is Charles Ramsdell's
>old article (_Mississippi Valley Historical Review_, 1929)
>about the natural limits of slavery expansion (i.e., leave
>slavery alone, and it will die a natural death, so no need
>for a civil war).
>
>  ===========================
>  =      Richard Lowe       =
>  =  Univ. of North Texas   =
>  =      [log in to unmask]       =
>  ===========================
>
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