[BDParrish]

In short: it was more important to Davis to have a war, seizing Forts Sumter & Pickens, than to worry about maneuvering to make the Union start it.

And most important of all to win it! And if he had, then we would not be having this discussion. I appreciate your writing BroJoeK, but I did not understand your point about the Declaration of Independence since we had already been killing the redcoats for a year when that document was signed.

Thanks!

[BroJoeK]

BDParrish: "I did not understand your point about the Declaration of Independence since we had already been killing the redcoats for a year when that document was signed."

Exactly, that's what made it, as they said at the time, necessary:

1. "When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands..."

2. "Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. "

3. "We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends."

True necessity drove the Declaration of Independence, but no remotely similar "necessity" drove any 1861 "Reasons for Secession" documents.