The South did not view it the way you do. Period. You don’t like what the government that ceased to exist in 1865 stated and died for, not my problem.
I've read the articles of secession for several of the Southern States. I've read the Confederate Constitution. I've read many of their leader's statements, in full context, such as the "Cornerstone Speech". I've also read much post-war "lost cause" apologia, which I find to be of dissonance with what was given for reasons antebellum.
No, I don't like what the actual Confederate government stated and died for, because the only real variations in their governing Constitution from the one they were attempting to unilaterally withdraw from dealt with maintaining human bondage. (Save one that I wish was in the original Constitution: Article I, Sec 20 Every law, or resolution having the force of law, shall relate to but one subject, and that shall be expressed in the title.)
That said, we’ve beaten this to death.
Hey, nothing more fun than a little necrophillic equine flagelation!