Those three states clearly say they have a right to secede or "resume" their powers. So what evidence do you have that demonstrates secession to be illegal?
To be clear, the sole truth I’ve been proving is the motivation for Southern secession.
We don't care about the motivation for Southern secession. My argument has always been that they had a right to secede, and no one has a right to say "except for this reason."
Even if their reason for secession is a bad reason, we do not get to put conditions on their right to secede. They can do so for reasons we don't like, in the manner of Free Speech can be about speech we don't like.
But I also put forth the idea that their stated reasons for secession are very likely not their real reason for secession, and the Northern newspapers quoted above by PeaRidge indicate that the Northern newspapers perceived their real reason was to gain commercial independence.
I.E. Money.
The constitutional right to secession, ... etc are side issues,
Absolutely disagree. The fundamental issue of the civil war is whether there is or is not a *RIGHT* to secede.
If there is a right to secede, then there is no right to "preserve the Union." If there is no right to secede, then there is a necessity to "preserve the Union."
The bulk of evidence of which I am aware demonstrates that the right to secede was known and understood when the US Constitution was ratified, and therefore it is legal for states to leave the Union if they so choose.
So the morality and legality of the war hinges on this fundamental point, and your side has precious little evidence to support the claim that a Union freely joined cannot be freely left.
The reason for secession was the South's desire to preserve slavery.
The trigger for secession was the election of Abraham Lincoln, which fed fear of the abolitionist foundation of the Republican Party.
The American Civil War began when units of the South Carolina Militia fired upon a Union fort in Charleston harbor.
I do this to state in no uncertain terms that these are the only three points that I am addressing. All other issues have no effect on those three.
“But I also put forth the idea that their stated reasons for secession are very likely not their real reason for secession, and the Northern newspapers quoted above by PeaRidge indicate that the Northern newspapers perceived their real reason was to gain commercial independence.”
What kind of cherries do you prefer, maraschino or bing?