If the South had truly wanted to preserve the Constitution and their liberties, then they should have worked within the political system to bring that about.
Per the Constitution, neighboring states were OBLIGATED to return escapoed slaves. Not only did they NOT do that, they actively PROMOTED the practice. In doing so, the Northern states had made the Constitution ull and void, by failing to fulfill their obligations under it to the Southern states.
Instead, they set off down a path calculated to cause a war.
NO. They seceeded. The NORTH chose to have a war.
Worse, they neglected to win the war they deliberately started.
Point taken. The South was both unable and unwilling to out-"crimes against humanity" Sherman, Grant, and Lincoln.
That their position on political liberties may have been the right one doesn't justify the rank stupidity of the manner in which the Southern leadership handled matter.
Given that working within the system wasn't working, what choice did they have but to withdraw? Even the Columbia Record Club will eventually let you leave...
I think the rebellion of the South was as much about Southern pride and ego as it was about political motives.
I hope the rest of yur thinking is less grounded in prejudice, and more in fact.