[Sofia]

It also overlooks the fact that several (7?) states had seceded before Lincoln's inauguration.

No state seceded before Lincoln's election.

[gusopol3]

None seceded before Buchanan was elected.

[BlackElk]

Wisconsin seceded in 1859 in protest against slavery but no one paid Wisconsin any attention. No other state seceded before people cast their individual votes in 1860. It may well be, however, that states had seceded before the actual Electors met to elect Lincoln.

[BlackElk]

Also, Breckinridge would have been a magnificent choice and near infinitely better than Lincoln.

I will be away at a meeting for a few hours but will check in on return.