"No one invaded anyone, the Southern states that seceded were in violation of the laws of the Constitution and the laws were being enforced."
Common myth. However, show me where it is stated that States may not vote on what to do with their own states. Show me where it doesn't say "all powers not regulated by the federal government are to be left to the individual states"
Fact is, seccession was brought before congress. The memebers of congress VOTED on it. Several states voted to leave.
Had it been "against the Constitution" the judges in appointment would have not allowed the vote in the first place.
"What you guys will never get is that your ancestors were fighting on the wrong side."
Power of the States is NOT "the wrong side." It is a check against rampant federal government. Which, by the way, is the whole problem we are having with activist judges and national government.
The States 'rights' advocates rejected the Declaration of Independence.
They did not believe that man had any God given rights.
A State tyranny is no better then a Federal one.
The protection against Federal tyranny is the right of revolution, which is the ultimate right based on the principles of the Declaration.
The only one who had a God given right to rebel were the slaves, since it was they who were being denied their freedoms, not the South.
As for secession itself, the states cannot vote to secede themselves out of the union.
The right of secession is a Southern myth.