[bell-cot]

If you're familiar with English history, then it's more understandable that Lord Acton (Catholic, and born a mere Baronet) was against powerful central authorities.

And at least according to Wikipedia, Acton's positions on the Confederacy and slavery were very mainstream for English Catholics of the day.

[b40d-48b2-979e]

    positions on [...] slavery were very mainstream

Thankfully we also had figures like John Brown to fight the good fight.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(abolitionist)

[bell-cot]

To clarify - John Brown was an American, with a Puritan/Calvinist background, born to fairly humble circumstances. Very unlike Acton.

And Britain's record on slavery is both far more complex, and far less bad, than many modern ideologues might have us believe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Africa_Squadron

[watwut]

He was pro powerful central authority, as long as that powerful central authority is pro-slavery.

He was against it when it prevented oppression.

[bell-cot]

Who is this "he" you are describing? Because your "he" bears minimal resemblance to the (extensively documented) Lord Acton.