[Who is John Galt?]

So Lincoln had the law plainly on his side when the war began.

Actually, Mr. Lincoln's legal arguments were "as dead as Kelsey's nuts." Perhaps you should review James Ostrowski's "AN ANALYSIS OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S LEGAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST SECESSION," located here:

http://apollo3.com/~jameso/secession.html

Enjoy!

;>)

[WhiskeyPapa]

So Lincoln had the law plainly on his side when the war began.

Actually, Mr. Lincoln's legal arguments were "as dead as Kelsey's nuts." Perhaps you should review James Ostrowski's "AN ANALYSIS OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S LEGAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST SECESSION," located here:

Ho hum.

The Militia Act of 1792 gave clear power to the president to act in states where the federal courts were not functioning. All your blather won't change the fact that Lincoln was completely justified and completely within the law.

Walt