You obviously don't honor the D of I.
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."
Were the secessionists acting prudently?
Walt
It is not for you or me to decide whether they were prudent. And you will notice that the D of I says whenever the people think their government needs to change, they can change it. It then goes on to say that if they are prudent, they won't do so rashly.
I do not believe that the people of Sweden are prudent for adopting socialism. But who am I to impose my will on the people of Sweden? I do not consider Islamic fundementalism a prudent form of government. But if the people of the Middle East wish to live under that form of government, it's up to them.
The fact that you may not believe the South was prudent does not mean that you would be right to deny them their self-determination.