Upset with free States exercising their sovereignty by nullifying the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Secession Convention, of Georgia, votes to votes to secede from the voluntary Union (YEA, 208; NAY, 89) over the issues of free trade and slavery:   

       The material prosperity of the North was greatly dependent on the Federal Government; that of the the South not at all.  In the first years of the Republic the navigating, commercial, and manufacturing interests of the North began to seek profit and aggrandizement at the expense of the agricultural interests. … Not content with these great and unjust advantages, they have sought to throw the legitimate burden of their business as much as possible upon the public; they have succeeded in throwing the cost of light-houses, buoys, and the maintenance of their seamen upon the Treasury. … The manufacturing interests entered into the same struggle early, and has clamored steadily for Government bounties and special favors.  This interest was confined mainly to the Eastern and Middle non-slave-holding States. … They pleaded in their favor the infancy of their business in this country, the scarcity of labor and capital, the hostile legislation of other countries toward them, the great necessity of their fabrics in the time of war, and the necessity of high duties to pay the debt incurred in our war for independence. …

       … The prohibition of slavery in the Territories, hostility to it everywhere, the equality of the black and white races, disregard of all constitutional guarantees in its favor, were boldly proclaimed by its leaders and applauded by its followers.

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       … For twenty years past the abolitionists and their allies in the Northern States have been engaged in constant efforts to subvert our institutions and to excite insurrection and servile war among us. …

       These are the same men who say the Union shall be preserved.

       … To avoid these evils we resume the powers which our fathers delegated to the Government of the United States, and henceforth will seek new safeguards for our liberty, equality, security, and tranquillity (sic).

       [updated 1/18/2025]