It is possible that Rawle's work played a part in individual West Point graduates' decisions. Yet, how it may have played a part would be difficult to measure. Rawle's work asserts that there was a right of secession, but also outlines some of the complications of secession. In fact, I believe he suggested that direct secession (as opposed to indirect secession) would require a calm and measured process by state governments at the behest of the people, including the announcement of the act of secession before it was officially carried out. And he argued that secession would likely result in a bitter, and even destructive, war.