My opinion is that if Buchanan had been firm when South Carolina stood alone, no other states would have joined them. South Carolina would be isolated and backed down like she did in Jackson's day.
Second, to use terms such as 'hotheads', 'madness' and 'insanity' in the context of people seeking relief from an oppressive, tyrannical government is directly equivalent to the LSM using similar descriptive terms about the present day Tea Party which is advocating the exact same thing.
Disagreements over tariff policy do not constitute oppression. The impossibility of a desire to take human "property" into the territories do not equal oppression. The election of a president you don't like does not constitute oppression.
Third, it was the 'sensible Southerners' that realized that the South could never have a equal and friendly relationship with the Yankee politicians and their corrupt political machine.
The secessionist merely wanted any Yankee corruption out of the way of their own corrupt political machine. The secession process was often a farce.
And finally, your last statement is totally absurd and false. It is so Obama like that I'm surprised that you didn't start with the obamaism, "Let me be clear.."
What else could Lincoln do? He could not let a gang of usurping political crooks destroy the government of Washington.
Nuff said.
Disagreements over tariff policy do not constitute oppression. The impossibility of a desire to take human "property" into the territories do not equal oppression. The election of a president you don't like does not constitute oppression.
Unfair, financially crippling tariffs constitute oppression. Denying property rights constitute oppression. The election of a tyrant constitutes oppression.
The secessionist merely wanted any Yankee corruption out of the way of their own corrupt political machine.
Southerners wanted separation from the yankees, whom they had never gotten along with and, as you well know, that same sentiment continues to this day.
The secession process was often a farce.
Like Lincoln's oath to uphold the Constitution?
What else could Lincoln do?
Lincoln could have met with the Southern peace envoy that was sent to DC.
Lincoln could have removed the troops from Ft. Sumter.
Lincoln could have sought a peaceful resolution.
Tyrannical dictators do not do any of the above.
He could not let a gang of usurping political crooks destroy the government of Washington.
The first part of the above statement is reprehensibly offensive. If it weren't for Southerners there never would have been an American Revolution and you yanks would still be paying homage to the Crown.
The second part of your statement from above is either ignorance on your part or a lame attempt to insinuate that the South intended to overthrow the US federal government (which, btw, would have been better for all in the long run if we had). It's a total misrepresentation of the historical facts.