Lincoln is still a hero to me, and, I agree with much of your assessment, yet still, I think secession has it’s place if the moral ground one is standing upon is solid.
This is where I disagree with the Southern “Cause”. They keep denying it, but slavery was the aggravating issue that brought about the war. Their reasons for secession are directly tied to not only keep slavery intact in the South, but expanding it across the country.
You’re right about Lincoln facing a terrible situation when he took office. Half the country had left the nation. Whatever he did would have a profound impact on us. I’m glad he was at the helm of leadership during that crisis.
I do agree that Lincoln saw secession as a fatal attack on the nation. I know he sincerely believed that it would lead to the destruction of the United States. In general, I agree with him. I’m just not sure that forcing the South back in militarily was the right move - but, I’m not wholly committed to that idea. Hindsight can see things so much more clearly than when one is facing the crisis at that moment.
A state or states could legally secede but it needs to be a mutually agreeable split among the states.
That gives pause to wonder what might have happened had the southern states not been so impetuous and hot-headed.