"For that matter, why did the triumphalist North balk at remaking the plantation South in the image of the small-farm North if classical republicanism was the litmus test of political and economic well-being? "

Well, that's an interesting question.
We have seen the selective History lessons being taught now and they are not going to answer that question.

Sort of on those same lines and what he said in your post caught my attention too. How the University crowd were into protest and working on political agendas. I remember from the 1960's they seemed to be from what was always considered 'out there' places, like UC Berkley. Now, I'm seeing it at Texas A&M!!!

Pam