Good comments.
First, a quibble: we didn’t secede from the crown - we openly rebelled against their authority. Washington knew that should he fail he would find his head on a pike.
Second, when you read Lincoln’s words you are struck with the sense of unity he had for the nation. I suppose one could call it a character flaw but (since I am of the same opinion) I don’t see it as such. Our nation survives by sticking together. Should we ever separate (peacefully or otherwise) it will spell the end of us all. We don’t have the same enemies that we faced in the 19th century but the enemies we currently face are just as deadly. We stand against common enemies and should be doing so united.
Lincoln knew this. He was honor-bound to keep to his oath of office and attempt to quell the rebellion. He knew that expressions of “let us go in peace” rang hollow and untrue. He knew that the cornfederacy wasn’t just rearranging itself as a separate entity - it was setting itself up as a direct competitor - an enemy competitor - to the United States. He knew that he could not allow that to happen.
I am of the opinion that Lincoln’s cards were dealt to him even before he assumed office. He played the only hand he could.
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.