Oh, you silly thing. Your assertion that "they were prevented from violently destroying the country...." is utter nonsense. They didn't want to destroy the country. They wanted to separate from the Union, not destroy the country. The "Union" was simply an immaterial political bond they no longer wanted to be part of. Of course, they violently demonstrated their intent to separate which was the wrong thing to do. But, it could be equally argued that the North violently demonstrated their intent to not let them separate. I brought up the "hero worship" aspect since you said they're held up as heroes by many. Would you like me to point out the post in which you brought that up? I'll be glad to do it if you would like. Who is sympathizing? I don't believe that I've even mentioned that I sympathized with the South. So, no I'm not "somebody who sympathizes with the South but thinks that they don't deserve any sort of respect". I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but you really are the Tangent Queen of late on this forum. As long as the leaders of our great Union decide to empty the coffers of the blue states into the coffers of the red states in the form of wealth redistribution, there's little I can do about it. Wouldn't you agree that it would have been less costly in terms of lives, etc. to let the South secede? Approach the question from an academic standpoint. Hello? I'm not disputing that the South started the war. Incorrect. The CSA democratically created a constitution and was formed peacefully with conventions in several legislatures. Hoo boy! You enjoy beating a dead horse, don't you? Ignore the attacks? There would never have been attacks had Lincoln recognized the South's secession. Think of the lives lost during the Revolutionary War. King George learned his lesson when the colonies wanted to separate from its mother country. Lincoln could have saved so many lives and property had he allowed secession. From an historical standpoint, I'm not saying it was the right thing to do nor am I saying it was the wrong thing to do; I'm simply pointing out that so much could have been saved. That's a fairly good assessment of the Revolutionary War. History would have seen it differently had Britain won, however. Instead, we celebrate the Fourth of July. No, merely reflecting on what could have been. With that comment, you've surely raised the ire of many a Southern gentleman, sir. Prepare yourself as they will assuredly demand satisfaction.