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To: Aurelius
A party wishing to withdraw from the federation would have no need for the use of force unless aggressive force were used against them to prevent their withdrawal. If that happens, they are certainly within their rights to use force in self-defense.

Lincoln's attempt at resupplying Sumter with food only should not have started a war and would not have started the war except Davis wanted the war. Had Lincoln landed supplies then the status quo would have continued. Had Lincoln landed weapons then the status quo could also have continued since that would not have placed the confederacy in any danger. Instead Davis chose to use force to sieze a piece of property that the confederacy had absolutely no legal claim to. The aggression was on the part of Davis. Toombs recognized it and warned Davis to no avail. If Toombs could recognize that firing on Sumter would place the confederacy in the wrong then why couldn't Davis? Why can't you?

170 posted on 11/04/2002 4:57:09 PM PST by Non-Sequitur
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To: Non-Sequitur
"Lincoln's attempt at resupplying Sumter with food only should not have started a war and would not have started the war except Davis wanted the war."

As I said we have been through this before and you are presenting the same argument as before. I simply do not find it credible that Davis wanted war. The Confederacy would have been at a disadvantage and he knew it. So I don't believe your claim. I do believe that very likely it was Lincoln's intention to provoke the Confederacy to fire the first shot to give him an excuse and to help raise popular support for his suppression of secession. However, that can probably no more be proved than can your contention that Davis wanted war. However, if Davis actually provoked the war he should be condemned for it; it would have been needless, Lincoln would have done it any case.

175 posted on 11/05/2002 2:38:33 PM PST by Aurelius
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