you said it was the primary reason. Such a claim is wrong. hence why it isnt worth debating you on this topic. Abolition was NOT the primary reason for the civil war. It was A reason, yes, but not primary as you agreed to.
I know you're busy cooking stats, so I'll keep this simple.
The South seceded and started the war primarily due to the fear that "anti-slavery" powers in the north were about to make a move on slavery. Their primary (yes, primary) cause was the preservation of slavery--at the very least in the slave states. There were many who wanted to expand it into the free states under "Full faith and credit".
So let's review:
1. The South's primary cause was the preservation of slavery.
If wrapping that in a bunch of language about "our economy and "our way of life" tickles you, feel free to substitute it. We'll just agree that we know what they were talking about.
2. The South initiated hostilities
3. Therefore, the war was fought over the issue of slavery. I don't think it especially important that abolition was a secondary concern of Abraham Lincoln until the last couple of years of the war. Abolition was an inevitable consequence of the Northern victory.