What the South did, and with a majority vote from each state that seceded, was claim their RIGHT that had been guaranteed to them by the Declaration of Independence. This right was to ABOLISH or ALTER the present form of government and institute a new one, when the present from of government threatened their unalienable rights, the South had the legal right to secede, and just because the north didn't find it convenience for the South to claim this RIGHT, this did not make it illegal, now please explain to me how this constitutes a rebellion? The cowards that ran to the north to join the union got exactly what they deserved in some cases, when they were caught, did they think deserting their county, and yes the South was an independent country after seceding, held no consequences? A traitor is a traitor, and deserves no respect or special treatment. Some of you northern people need to read what is below, and try to understand what it is saying, it's really not that difficult to understand.

Carolyn

From the Declaration of Independents;
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.