Was “secession”, the cause for the Civil War, actually a states right at the time?
Well, there is some background as to why some states seceded. Mississippi said, “Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery– the greatest material interest of the world.” (1) Of course, Lincoln said in his first inaugural, “I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” Those who nominated and elected me did so with full knowledge that I had made this, and many similar declarations, and had never recanted them.” Regarding the war, Lincoln said, “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or destroy slavery.” (3) Did states have the right to secede? Hard to say absolutely yes or no. There is some excellent discussion of the question (4) linked below. The question at the time was whether the states had
