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Lincoln's "actions were unconstitutional and he knew it," writes Napolitano, for "the rights of the states to secede from the Union . . . [are] clearly implicit in the Constitution, since it was the states that ratified the Constitution . . ."

Beware of what people think is "implicit" in the Constitution, hidden away in all those penumbras and emanations. If you're talking about major changes, it's best to get as many people as possible on board and (changing the metaphor) dot all the i's and cross all the t's and respond to possible objections, rather than simply assume that what one happens to believe justifies and authorizes radical steps.

Lincoln's view "was a far departure from the approach of Thomas Jefferson, who recognized states' rights above those of the Union."

Jefferson like to make provocative claims and didn't always think them through. His ideas were never the last word in constitutional interpretation, and his opinion was only one of many. Or more than one of many, since Jefferson in power and Jefferson out of power didn't always agree.

[NKP_Vet]

Jefferson was a conservative DEMOCRAT. Small government.
Hamilton and the rest were BIG GOVERNMENT. Today’s big government DEMOCRATS. The roles have reversed. Democrats used to be the good guys. Lincoln’s WHIG/REPUBLICANS would also be BIG GOVERNMENT DEMOCRATS. Warmongering democrats.