Colonel, the only thing you forgot - was to start out your original statement with “Tsk..Tsk..”
You either fail to relise that we STAND on principal and are not looking for a fight - but will happily take one on for those priciples, or...you place “can’t we all just get along” fantasy above those principles.
Sooner or later push comes to shove - and Tsk..Tsk.. If your caught unawares.
And as far as General Lee, always a gentlemen - and did not care for a fight, though certainly did not shy away from one when called for.
Lee certainly did not want secession. He only fought for Virginia. Too bad there were not more prudent Lees in the South of 1860-61 and less of the secessionist wild men.
"... I wish to live under no other government, and there is no sacrifice I am not ready to make for the preservation of the Union save that of honour. If a disruption takes place, I shall go back in sorrow to my people and share the misery of my native state, and save in her defence there will be one soldier less in the world than now. I wish for no other flag than the 'Star spangled banner' and no other air than 'Hail Columbia.' I still hope that the wisdom and patriotism of the nation will yet save it. "