re: If secession was legal then what right did the North have to keep the South in the USA?

quote:

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“The real causes of dissatisfaction in the South with the North, are in the unjust taxation and expenditure of the taxes by the Government of the United States, and in the revolution the North has effected in this government, from a confederated republic, to a national sectional despotism.”

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There were almost NO federal taxes in 1860. None. The government's revenue came almost 100% from tariffs on imported goods. And be advised that the Constitution prevents taxes or tariffs on the exports of any state.

A lot of people bring that up - poor southern states all taxed by he feds.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

ARTICLE I, SECTION 9, CLAUSE 5