In 1861, a south carolinian stated, "slavery with us is no abstraction—but a great and vital fact. without it, our every comfort would be taken from us." what pressing issue was he referencing, and how did that issue affect southern states?

He is referencing the issue of slavery and the threat of it being outlawed in the United States. This fear was very real for southerners after President Abraham Lincoln was elected president in the election of 1860. Southerners feared that he would outlaw slavery across the United States.

This issue greatly affected the southern states, causing several of them to secede (leave) the US in order to form their own country. This would be called the Confederate State of America and this faction helps spark the Civil War.