How did many white southerners respond to the increasing calls for the abolition of slavery?

AThey were not concerned about the violent or nonviolent calls for the abolition of slavery.

BTheir support for slavery weakened as they learned of growing opposition.

CThey felt that any calls for the abolition of slavery threatened their economic way of life and would result in rebellions.

DThey disliked calls for violent means of ending slavery but approved of nonviolent calls for the ending of slavery.