In the 1820s William Rawle wrote; "It depends on the State itself to retain or abolish the principle of representation, because it depends on itself whether it will continue a member of the Union. To deny this right would be inconsistent with the principle of which all our political systems are founded, which is, that the people have in all cases, a right to determine how they will be governed. This right must be considered as an ingredient in the original composition of the general government, which, though not expressed, was mutually understood." "The secession of a State from the Union depends on the will of the people of such State. The people alone hold the power to alter their constitution." This book was warmly accepted in the North and even used as a textbook at West Point. Before the war of course!

Even the Yankee abolitionist Daniel Webster said; "The Union is a Union of States founded upon Compact. If the Northern States willfully and deliberately refuse to carry out their part of the Constitution, the South would be no longer bound to keep the compact."

Southerners did not desire secession; it was forced upon them. Like Rawle, Southerners loved American liberty more than governmental institutions. Therefore, when faced with the choice of submission to Federal tyranny or secession, they chose secession.

When all the smoke clears away, the North only settled one issue. The only thing the North proved was that an industrial society can defeat an agrarian society in a protracted war of attrition and genocide. Especially when they have five times the population and no concern for their losses, or for the crimes committed to win. Issues of morality or constitutional law cannot be judged by such a barbaric method. Only tyrants would ever subscribe to these methods.