OK, so the states had the right to seceed. No one is disputing that and , yes, it remains arguable whether or not Lincoln did the right thing. From a historical viewpoint, Yes, he did. America was a smaller and weaker nation then and had the states remained disunited, there would have been far more danger from France and Great Britain. Danger that the Southern states, especially, could not have fought off.
When Texas won its freedom from Mexico, it decided in a very short amount of time to throw in with the US. Houston was a visionary, but he was also pragmatic. He KNEW Mexico would be back at them with troubles from France and Spain, as well.
In Federalist #5, Publius quotes a 1706 letter from Queen Anne to the Scot Parliament: “An entire and perfect union will be the solid foundation of lasting peace: It will secure your religion, liberty and property; remove the animosities amongst yourselves, and the jealousies and differences betwixt our two kingdoms. It must increase your strength, riches and trade; and by this union the whole island, being joined in affection and free from all apprehensions of different interest, will be enabled to resist all its enemies...”.
He goes on to write: “Nothing will more secure us from (dangers from abroad) than union, strength, and good government.” (The Federalist Papers in Modern Language, ed. Mary E. Webster, Merril Press, 1999)
My guess is that Lincoln was familiar with these writings and knew the dangers of two weaker confederacies as opposed to one that was stronger and has only gotten more so, since. It is academic fun to debate this issue, but at some point, we HAVE to realize that the dangers we face now and have faced in the recent past have been far graver than the 18th century European countries. At least with THEM, our cultures were pretty much the same.
We are ALL Americans, and as one unit, we ARE the best, the brightest and the strongest. Had Lincoln allowed secession, The North would probably be part of Canada, the South to France, and Florida and the Southwest a part of Spain.
The differences between liberals and conservatives today are far more marked than the differences between the North and South of yesteryear.
Are they still Americans when they demand a right to follow the path to tyranny in government??
fwiw, unless you have a REALLY good crystal ball, i cannot imagine where you got these strange notions.
free dixie,sw