[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp: "It is the people who constantly try to marry the issue of slavery to the issue of independence who are the deliberate liars."

Then Deep South Fire Eaters in early 1861 were deliberate liars, since all of their "Reasons for Secession" documents focused exclusively on their need to protect slavery.
Unlike our Founders in 1776, who fully understood the evils of slavery, Secessionists in 1861 acted specifically in defense of their "peculiar institution", slavery.

That's a fact, deny it all wish.

DiogenesLamp: "The founders were all slave owners, yet they asserted a God granted right to independence.
The legitimacy of the USA is based on the idea that independence is an inherent right."

Our Founders never claimed a right to independence "at pleasure", only from necessity, which they fully documented.
And US legitimacy is based on the mutual consent of states' ratifications of the US Constitution and its amendments.
So your arguments here are pure rubbish, FRiend.

[DiogenesLamp]

Our Founders never claimed a right to independence "at pleasure", only from necessity, which they fully documented.

It is arrogant to believe you have the right to tell me what is "necessary."

I decide for myself what is "necessary", not you.

[jeffersondem]

“Our Founders never claimed a right to independence “at pleasure”, only from necessity, which they fully documented.”

Who determined it was a necessity?

(Full disclosure: this is a trick question. If you choose to invoke the 5th amendment, I will not think less of you.)