Pithy little platitudes.
We would be cheering a Republican President declaring an Fetus-emancipation proclamation and fight tooth and nail to make it so — meanwhile the Democrats would be saying it’s not about abortion, it’s about the children when in fact it really is *about* the children, only not their version of the Children.
As you said platitudes are not helpful. The truth is that the civil war was about states rights. However, one of those rights had to do with slavery. The vast majority of southerners would probably have given up the institution of slavery if it meant that the u.s. would have left the confederacy alone (especially if the war had not started until the cotton gin was in widespread use). However the wealthy minority of plantation owners would never accept it and they had most of the influence.
Furthermore, if the issue of slavery was off the table- the north would still have fought just as hard to keep the south from leaving. One majpr difference would be that the south might have been able to obtain england as an ally as england was very antislavery at the time. That may have made a difference, although I doubt it.
I think the lessons to take from that unfortunate time in history is to wait until you have a good chance at success before you attempt independence, don’t let emotion get in the way of judgement before going to war, be realistic about your chances, and if the timing isn’t right the you continue to prepare until it is. Also make damn sure that what you are fighting for is worth it.
After reading the history of the revolutionary war, i’ve come to the conclusion that the rebels (washington, franklin, et al.) were very lucky. England did some very stupid things and misread the situation in north america- if they hadn’t the east coast and probably more would still be under the crown now.