Up to that point States rights was a very important issue for many.

I probably do need to go back and read a bit more about the actual start of the war, but from what I have read the industrialized north was becoming increasingly powerful and that power was being demonstrated through a national government that was already bought and paid for by the rich and powerful. The tariff system that the US government enforced was very unfair to the South, and the move to keep the South from trading with foreign countries was one major tipping point toward succession.

Bottom line ..the supposed central issue that the civil war was fought over could have been handled in a better way. Slavery had been abolished in many other areas of the world without a shot. The only real reason was powerful people in the north, rich and powerful politicians - desired a highly centralized form of government over the states rights model outlined in the Constitution. The Civil War was the power play to lay some nails in the coffin of that model that Jefferson brought to the table, with, I might add - those who were part of the Constitutional Convention from the original colonies made states.

I know many will think I am crazy for saying this, but why should any State that would desire to succeed from this nation be stopped? Why is that such a bad idea? I used to be one of many who would wave the grand ole flag just about any time. I still support the men and women who have fought for freedom, but I am fast seeing that freedom is given to us in whatever measure those in power decide we are to get. Those in power have little regard for Patriotism. Their driving force is wealth, greed, power ..and they have manipulated the masses almost from the inception of the country. One way is to bring us into National unity behind the cause is Patriotism, and then they get the minions to fight wars, thin the herd ..and keep the money flowing into their coffers.

Man, I am really getting pissed off. Forgive me.
--
' Of all bad men religious bad men are the worst. '' (C S Lewis ; on Evil Men) 89 764 (170K), '94 940T (265K), 92 245 (150K)