[Partisan Gunslinger]

“Any people, anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better.”-Abe Lincoln Even Lincoln agreed with secession until he didn’t.

"having the power", the key phrase. The South ended up not having the power.

[soakncider]

So if the larger power says you don’t have rights, then you don’t have rights?

[rockrr]

soakncider: "Any people, anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better." - Abe Lincoln Even Lincoln agreed with secession until he didn't.

Partisan Gunslinger: "having the power", the key phrase. The South ended up not having the power.

The rationalization that Lincoln agreed with unilateral secession because he recognized the God-given right of men to rebel against tyranny is pretty ludicrous. He was never favorable to unilateral secession.

Interestingly enough, when the rebels devised their pretend constitution they did almost a copy/paste of the United States Constitution, and then edited it here and there to add things like perpetual slavery. They had the perfect opportunity to enshrine their notion of unilateral secession - but they didn't. Why do you suppose that is?