One final comment and I won’t bother you anymore.
You said: “In any case, it is my understanding that the Nation accepted Southern Secession as a fait accompli, and made no bones over it. It was only Lincoln, who faced the humiliation of being the President who presided over the division of the Nation that was loath to accept what was then the status quo.”
Over the months leading to and after secession, the opinions varied but generally the newspapers were accepting secession and calling for peace.
That changed radically in March of 1861. As soon as the Confederacy announced its tariff rates, everyone began calling for war.
Lincoln quickly found that there was great interest in a military attack on the South by most of the governors and businessmen of the North. His own cabinet was reluctant as well as his military.
Not a bother from anyone interested in reasoned debate. It is those "my team can do no wrong" sheep that are a nuisance.
Over the months leading to and after secession, the opinions varied but generally the newspapers were accepting secession and calling for peace.
This is what I recall as well. I have actually read Northern Newspaper editorials which said in effect "Go in Peace, our Brethren." Most people in the North had no issues with Southern Secession. It was only after they were whipped into a patriotic frenzy that they were ready to invade the South. Had they been told that they would be fighting to free the slaves, they would have refused right then and there. That "free the slaves" narrative was another example of a bait and switch pulled by Lincoln. He was a clever fellow, no doubt about that.
That changed radically in March of 1861. As soon as the Confederacy announced its tariff rates, everyone began calling for war.
Lincoln quickly found that there was great interest in a military attack on the South by most of the governors and businessmen of the North. His own cabinet was reluctant as well as his military.
You have more knowledge of this than do I. The Civil War is not a topic I normally discuss, but references to Lincoln's Role in History have always needed clarification in my opinion. He was not the Saint that most people think he was. The stuff he did is hurting us now. Many of our rights are being trampled or endangered because the 9th and 10th amendments no longer mean anything relative to Federal Power. The 14th amendment has been used to justify the most ridiculous decisions from the Federal courts, such as Abortion on Demand, and the Banning of Religion in public places, Creating "Anchor Babies" and adversely affecting the eligibility of the Presidency, and I need not point out to anyone how much damage that is now causing to the nation.
What a mess.