Not accusing you of anything, FRiend, just hoping to point out that what was illegal in 1861 is still.
Okay, I must have missed something. What was illegal — i.e., unconstitutional — in 1861 and “is still”?
I know where you are trying to go with this: Secession.
Where, in the U.S. Constitution in effect in 1861, was secession declared unconstitutional? The simple fact is, it wasn’t.
Now, if you’ve read my FR profile you will see that I saw the secessions of 1860-1861 to be a tragedy, and that I wish it had never got to that point (though I understand why the Southern states that seceded, had, in fact, seceded).
If you are one of those “My country, right or wrong” folks, then any further discussion is pretty meaningless. Because such a sentiment implies that no matter what your country does, no matter what or whom it oppresses and violates, it is okay with you.
I love my country’s TRADITIONS, and its FOUNDING PRINCIPLES. But I despise my country’s betrayal of those virtues.