A lot of this is right and is worth considering in an environment of the typical “the government is always right” propaganda.

But it misses the point, I think, as to why many were motivated to go to war and why it should have been expected and even understood when the South attempted to secede.

That point that is missed?  Simple: When you try to take fold your hand and leave the table with your chips after you have already all displayed your cards and clearly seen that you just lost, then you are going to get shot at.

Southern politicians were not any less ambitious than the Northern politicians, nor were their ambitions any less national in scope.  They ran for office and voted in order to win the nation.  Only when they clearly lost did they decide to take from the pot and “peacefully” abandon the game.

I’m not saying that the Lincoln was right to do what he did.  I’m just saying it was understandable and predictable.  Legality never means much when it comes to national politics anyway.