Enlightenment thinkers used logic and reason. The same thing could be applied to rulers. They used logic and reason in their leadership decisions.
To the North slavery was morally wrong & cruel. But, also with the South pushing the expansion of slavery, the North felt as if it was taking more jobs away from the whites. Only about 25% of people owned slaves by 1860.
Share cropping allowed African Americans to have a sense of freedom, because basically in this system, you would take care of someone else's crops. If they had a good harvest, you get a part of the share.
I think it could be that the atmosphere has been cleared of doubt and misunderstanding
set up courts
collect taxes
build roads
create banks
make and enforce laws
hold elections
take care of the health and safety of citizens
borrow money
spend money for the people
take private property for government