They didn't destroy the republic. The republic committed suicide.
Until Ft Sumpter, there was still a small chance that there may have been no war. Had there been other players in the play, there may have been some agreement worked out. The activity at the forts told the Southern states that the Government wasn't going to let things be worked out. How many northern forts were shored up? Sumter wasn't the only one being worked on.

Had Lincoln been on the ballot on all states would it have been different? Maybe so.

The Confederate States were saying they didn't like the rules of the game that had them at a disadvantage. What part of that is wrong? The challenge for the right to secede was radical but it was not illegal at that time.

With ALL we have read on the character of most of those involved as officers and other commands in the Confederate cause, how can one believe they left the country they had fought for and would have died for just for a lark and without thought?

Today we are one nation, from sea to shining sea and a few other places. We have territories all over the globe. It could have been different but it is what it is. History. A duel was fought, the victor took his spoils and lorded as it stomped over the fallen. The fallen though kept the one thing it held important----honor. Still does.

Maybe breaking up the Republic buys a bit more time in the 200 year longevity rule.
Pam