It denigrates the Constitution to say its all about civil rights. The Constitution is THE LAW. Period, and should be enforced as such.
as for "civil rights" during war : there are hostiles, and their are civilians. The safety of the civilians comes before the hostiles. If someone plots and acts to hurt/damage/kill a civilian, they are HOSTILE, and shoudl be treated as such.
It was about the expectation of the colonists to be insured the god given rights of Englishmen.
The taxes without representation were the last straws in a bale.
...The Constitution is THE LAW....
Was.
It was the law.