The terms that are usually used for the anti-abolition Missouri contingent are "Border Ruffians" and "pro-slavery." I realize there are both inherently charged terms, so I am wondering if anyone knows which terms descendants might prefer. The term "states' rights" doesn't really come around until the Civil War and probably doesn't accurately reflect the situation anyway, so I don't think that makes for a good replacement for "pro-slavery."
I don't think we can avoid "Border Ruffians" since that is /the/ term that's always used and it's what sources will use, including period sources, but if we could avoid "pro-slavery," that might be best. Any suggestions?
(And yes, I realize I am talking to myself at this point in the project. :))
