[metesky]

In January 1848 he said: "Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better."

You're being disingenuous here as you know darn well Lincoln was referring to the natural right of revolution and not secession.

[WayneS]

And how do we know exactly what Mr. Lincoln was referring to?

I've never actually spoken to Abraham Lincoln, but since it appears you have, maybe you can enlighten us as to the "shrugging" mechanism(s) we might be permitted to use, provided that was one of the subjects you discussed in your conversation.

[billbears]

So, what then is so sacred about the American union? Why can't a substantial segment of the citizenry separate from the country and go its own way? These are important questions when we consider that Lincoln supported secession on flimsier grounds than does the Declaration of Independence. It requires "a long train of abuses and usurpations," which reduce a government to "absolute despotism," before secession is justified.

These are the words of your fellow worshipper Machan. Even he accepts that the future tyrant 16th president supported secession.