[alloysteel]

The Civil War was fought, not about slavery, which at best was only a side issue, but about the right of a State to secede from the Union. The right was put down by force of arms, and the subdued nation, the Confederated States of America (actually only a loose alliance between a number of autonomous governmental entities) was occupied and placed under martial law, the effects of which lasted more than a century. This right of secession was NEVER determined to be either legal or illegal by any court of law.

The United States itself was the result of secession from the British Empire.

But of course, history is not taught with this lesson in mind.

[Non-Sequitur]

This right of secession was NEVER determined to be either legal or illegal by any court of law.

Yes it was. Texas v White 74 U.S. 700 (1869) Link

[AzaleaCity5691]

That’s correct, but Lincoln’s defenders will of course claim that the states didn’t have a right to secede back then or some tripe about how the war was really about slavery.

[mel]

Now we understand how south felt not about slavery as this is not about health

[jagusafr]

Is not secession always by force of arms? Is there a single instance of a peaceful parting of the ways? Serious question - I don’t know the answer, but I’d be surprised if there were. As noted up-thread, the people who leech off the labor of others won’t take kindly to being deprived of the fruits of that labor.

Colonel, USAFR

[grumpygresh]

Secession may not be legal, but that obviously doesn’t mean that in certain cases it is not right, moral and necessary. I’m certain that the British crown did not deem the American rebellion as a legal means of separation.
We do have a way to go. Court challenges, state efforts, and federal elections can promote a re-union and healing. If those things fail a Constitutional convention may have to take place.
However, if we are repulsed at every turn, tyranny will be cemented in place by the one-party dictatorial socialist state. The S-word will then mean the R-word. BTW, that’s not recession.

[Vaquero]

the CSA should never have attacked Fort Sumter or the supply ships. How well do you think Castro would have done if they decided to attack Gitmo.

the cedeing back of USA forts to Southern States would have happened eventually over the course of decades....there was no need to attack.

[Dan Nunn]

This right of secession was NEVER determined to be either legal or illegal by any court of law.

There's a reason it hasn't been determined legally. Justice Antonin Scalia writes: