While you ramble on about the South threatening Secession, don't forget that New England was the FIRST to try that tactic.
"don't forget that New England was the FIRST to try that tactic."
Vermont, over maple syrup or something like that, wasn't it? Vermont secession must not have been viewed as too a serious blow, because I don't recall anyone bellowing on and on about it, and trashing the ancestors, of living Vermonters, who may or may not have been involved.
No NE didn't TRY secession it merely TALKED about it. Fortunately there were too many sensible Federalists who stopped such talk.
Alexander Hamilton gave his life to stop that insanity. His efforts against Burr's election as NY governor were to prevent secession. The idea was that Burr would become governor and turn NY to the side of those desiring to split the Union. However, H's success in defeating him when it seemed a sure victory infuriated B to such an extent that he determined to kill him and challenged him to the duel.