The fact is this: You can't compare actions of a group of states, to terrorist actions. The Confederacy seceded through what most people at the time felt were legal means.
They sent commissioners to NEGOTIATE a transfer of federal property. They were snubbed. Lincoln chose to initiate the actions that followed. The South had no choice BUT to fire on the fort, and force the troops out, or their sovereignety as a nation would have been a sham........
Lincoln was quite aware of the actions that would take place. He knew that when Southrons fired on the old flag, it would inflame passions. He was a consommate politician.
So did Davis. And he fired anyway.
Nonsense. The commissioners were sent to "for the purpose of negotiating friendly relations between that government and the Confederate States of America, and for the settlement of all questions of disagreement between the two governments upon principles of right, justice, equity, and good faith." Nothing specific about NEGOTIATING a transfer, just a vague offer to settle questions of disagreement. Since the south had already seized, or planned to seize, all the federal property in the rebellious states what incentive was there for them to pay for it?