[DarkSavant]

irrelevant...however you spin it, firing upon a Federal fort was, and is, an act of bellicosity, which opened the door to hostilities...

You don't like the answer, do you?

Lincoln antagonized the South, and his rhetoric showed he had no intention of a peaceful succession.

By the way, who said this?

"...Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up, and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better-- This is a most valuable, -- a most sacred right -- a right, which we hope and beleive, is to liberate the world..."

[rockrr]

Lincoln antagonized the South, and his rhetoric showed he had no intention of a peaceful succession.

How could he have antagonized anyone? He hadn't even taken office yet when South Carolina seceded

By the way, who said this?

Abraham Lincoln. So what?

[Eric Pode of Croydon]

Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up

The slaves had every right to rise up against their self-styled "masters". An action which I would have gladly supported.

[DoodleDawg]

Lincoln antagonized the South, and his rhetoric showed he had no intention of a peaceful succession.

In what way and with what rhetoric?