>>>And, of course, the general opinion was enshrined in more than one declaration of secession...<<<
Help me out here. Where in the declarations of secession of the states is the general opinion enshrined?
Now you're just being silly. You think that such declarations, by which states formally decided and declared their secessions, were not an expression of public sentiment? No rational person could make such a claim.
I would also point to the example of Texas, in which state the declaration of secession was subjected to, and prevailed, in a special state-wide election called to approve it.
Unless, sir, you're prepared to argue that the declarations of secession did not represent the general opinions within those states -- in which case the act of secession would something quite bad, indeed.