In the South, the majority of white southerners were in favor of secession, believing that the preservation of slavery and the southern way of life was worth fighting for. They felt that the federal government was encroaching on their states' rights and that secession was necessary to protect their interests.
In the North, the vast majority of people were opposed to secession, viewing it as a rebellion against the lawful authority of the federal government. They believed that the Union should be preserved and that slavery was a morally repugnant institution that should be abolished.
Among northern Democrats, there was some sympathy for the southern cause, particularly in the border states where slavery was still legal. However, even among northern Democrats, the majority opposed secession.
Internationally, the opinion of southern secession was also mixed. Some countries, such as Great Britain and France, remained neutral, while others, such as Spain, openly supported the Confederacy.
In conclusion, the opinion of southern secession was complex and varied, with strong divisions both within the South and across the country as a whole.