Actually who really started the war were the southern fire-eaters that would not compromise at the democratic convention in Charleston in 1860. This splintered the democratic party and allowed the Republicans to win the election.
Also you lost causers seem so stuck on blaming Lincoln for this. None of the possible candidates from the Republican party (Chase, Seward, etc.) if they would have won the party’s presidential nomination, would have let the fire-eaters just set up their own government. It would have destroyed this country by setting the precedent that if you don’t like the outcome of an election you can just take your toys and go home. Much like the democrats today would like to do.
It may be true that they caused the election of Lincoln, but this is far removed from any culpability for the occurrence of war. It was not a fore ordained conclusion that the election of Lincoln would automatically cause a war. It was highly probable, but not a guaranteed consequence.
Also you lost causers seem so stuck on blaming Lincoln for this. None of the possible candidates from the Republican party (Chase, Seward, etc.) if they would have won the party’s presidential nomination, would have let the fire-eaters just set up their own government
Chase is on record saying that secession is not rebellion. He says that a trial of the Confederate leadership for Treason would have condemned the actions of the North.
It doesn't sound like he agrees with you on this point.
It would have destroyed this country by setting the precedent that if you don’t like the outcome of an election you can just take your toys and go home.
The Declaration of Independence does not set conditions on the right to independence. In the two statements of which I am aware that Lincoln had made on the subject, neither did he.
The Only requirement is that the people want independence.