And yet on another thread you said the the south was justified in their actions because of the insult that even speaking of the immorality of slavery presented, the "endless sniping against the honorable intentions of the Southern partners:" as you put it.
Lincoln was willing to keep that, so as near as I can tell, the point is moot.
Lincoln personal attitude toward the immorality of slavery is well-established and was long-standing. What he believed, though, is that the Constitution gave the president or congress no power (in peacetime, at least) to abolish it without a Constitutional amendment to that effect. Interestingly, if the slave states had hung together in opposition, it would still be impossible today to pass such an amendment.
One more question: If the slaves had revolted, would it have been legal for the government to put down that rebellion?
That doesn't sound like something I said. Do you have a link?
As for the South being justified in Seceding, since I regard the Declaration as establishing the point
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
I must therefore conclude the south was justified in seceding since that is consistent with this principle.
Lincoln personal attitude toward the immorality of slavery is well-established and was long-standing. What he believed, though, is that the Constitution gave the president or congress no power (in peacetime, at least) to abolish it without a Constitutional amendment to that effect. Interestingly, if the slave states had hung together in opposition, it would still be impossible today to pass such an amendment.
And you indirectly admit that their acquiescence was obtained through coercion, and is therefore not a voluntary consent. It was consent obtained under duress.
The point remains, Slavery wasn't the sticking point. Independence was the sticking point. Lincoln could tolerate Slavery, but he couldn't tolerate people leaving his authority.