‘I suspect “the feeling” in the air today is about the same as what “the feeling” in the air was in 1859. We know what happened in 1861.”
I compare it more to the Roman Republic around 50 BC, while Julius Caesar was conquering Gaul, preparing to return to Rome. Some years after my namesake’s rule - (see my homepage). The American Civil War was almost completely about sectional differences.
I was (am) agreeing with the original comment of two polarized countries occupying the same space. Doesn't work for too long.