[DiogenesLamp]

Yes, my family broke the law and accepted the consequences, laws they thought were unjust and immoral.

I can respect that. We should all defy law that we consider immoral. But wouldn't the more moral thing be to demand separation so one does not live under an immoral law?

Is not the solution to a black sheep of a family to disown that family member?

[gandalftb]

My family like many, many others homesteaded in Iowa in 1843.

Slavery and the slave hunters was a significant problem.

But secession was never a consideration because the Federal government was providing much appreciated fertile land and opportunity that my family had only dreamed of while in NY.

Remember too, the threat of Indian attack was very real.

My family and others had to form the NE Iowa Protection Association that was no less a militia to also protect from marauding thieves and bandits.

Loss of Federal protection would not have been sensible.