In all, thirteen states had Articles of Secession (though only eleven ever actually ratified them, and they became the eleven states of the Confederate States of America). In those eleven Articles of Secession, only four specifically mentioned slavery as a cause (note: just one of many causes): South Carolina; Mississippi; Texas; and Georgia. Virginia’s only mention of it was to effect it expressed solidarity with the slave states that had seceded. The day after Virginia ratified its Articles of Secession (May 23, 1861), Union troops marched into Northern Virginia (May 24, 1861).
So, of thirteen Articles of Secession; only four expressly mentioned slavery as a reason. But they ALL cited self-determination as a reason.
I find it amusing that so many Lincoln apologists cite Clause 5, Article III, Sec. 3 of the U.S. Constitution to support their conclusion that the seceded states committed treason simply by seceding. However, a close reading of that authority does not support such a conclusion. It states, rather, that treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them.
Also, if we accept Lincoln’s and his apologists’ argument that the seceded states were not, in fact, legally divorced from the United States, but were still part of the United States, then Lincoln was a war criminal for invading Virginia when Virginia had never made any martial acts against ANY state or union of states.
Now, don’t get me wrong: I wish there had never been any secession (read my profile page). But I also know that the victors generally get to write the histories, with their own bias, and the North certainly did that.
Only 4?
Yep.
Was pointing out something the article brushed over
Name one please.