"Secession was a legal matter. When the federal government challenged it (or denied it), the Deep South chose to defend their action with guns, not with the judicial or legal system."

I agree with that except I would add that there was a feeling of legal helplessness in the South born of the expansion, or at least the percieved expansion of the northern states control over congress.

I do agree that there were a lot of hot-heads (fire-eaters) where there should not have been. I have to ask though, did the north seek grievance in legal proceedings or did the Lincoln government go to war? I've always felt both sides share the blame for starting a war that should have been avoided.

My friend, you are an attribute to the board. Maybe it is for the best then when I say I believe all of us, on both sides of the issue, sometimes end up like a puppy... chasing our own tails.