[Malcolm]

As a Southerner, I have to say that I admire Lincoln a lot more than any Southern leader that that time. I'm not sure if the Southern states had the "right" to succeed, but once the South fired on Ft Sumter, we were instantly reunited with the North. If one follows the logical progression of a "CSA," we would have had to eventually free the slaves anyway. No way in h--- that the Southern system so many whites were deceived into fighting for would remain in existence today. Just think of South Africa if you want to see what a present day CSA would be like. Or maybe like Argentina, an economic basket case. We Southerners got a much better deal by losing that war, because it wiped out the old Southern system of slavery, and gave us a head start on what we would have to do later anyway. I sure the North could have done a better job vis-à-vis reconstruction, especially if JWB had not blown Lincoln's head off. We will never know what would have happened had Lincoln completed his second term, but I'm glad Jefferson Davis did not complete his.....

[Poohbah]

Now, now, now, mustn't annoy those who venerate St. Jeff, Patron Saint of Liberty (except for those who should be out pickin' cotton).

[rwfromkansas]

The north refused to let the south continue slavery and have a gradual abolition. The north demanded its way or the highway. Unfortunately, the south ended up having to leave since it could not get a fair deal. I am sorry, but I think the south was right.

[Twodees]

Jefferson Davis would never have had a second term. The Confederate Constitution limited presidents to a single six year term.

[bimbo]

No way in h--- that the Southern system so many whites were deceived into fighting for would remain in existence today.

1) White Southerners were NOT fighting to preserve slavery any more than White Northerners were fighting to institute slavery.
2) Slavery was ending in the Western World (note the Russian Czar freeing 20 million serfs) before Lincoln.