In order to assert an independence, a populace must be capable of an independence, meaning they have sufficient wherewithal to manage their own affairs as a nation must be capable of. Does this not sound reasonable to you?--You, in #248.
Reconcile?
Sure. The first one was just dismissive of the idea that the "rump" was not economically viable. Rather than just assert that it was, I brushed it off as immaterial.
The second was after further thought when I considered that economic viability is probably very important in regards to the question of independence. How can a state or nation exist if it cannot be economically viable?
I have little doubt that the "rump" confederacy would have been able to sustain itself economically. It would have done so much better with Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina etc. as part of it, but it could have existed on it's own.
And that's it for me for awhile. I have some responsibilities that I need to attend to.