1. States' Rights: Southerners argued that the individual states had the right to determine their own destiny and that the federal government did not have the authority to interfere in their internal affairs, including the issue of slavery. They believed that states had entered the Union as sovereign entities and maintained the right to withdraw if their rights were violated.
2. The Constitution: Southerners interpreted the Constitution as a compact among sovereign states, rather than a document creating a single, indivisible nation. They argued that the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not expressly granted to the federal government to the states, supported their right to secede.
3. The Northern Threat: Southerners felt that the Northern states were encroaching on their rights, particularly regarding the institution of slavery. They feared that the North, which was becoming more populous and economically powerful, would eventually pass legislation that would harm the South's economy and way of life, including the abolition of slavery.
4. Protection of Slavery: Slavery was a fundamental institution in the Southern economy and society, and many Southerners believed that the North was determined to undermine or destroy it. They argued that secession was necessary to protect their way of life and the Southern people's right to own property.
5. States' Sovereignty: Southerners held the view that states had the right to exercise sovereignty over their own territory and citizens and that the federal government had overstepped its authority in various areas, such as trade, tariffs, and the expansion of federal power. They argued that secession was justified to preserve their concept of states' sovereignty.
6. Self-Determination: Southerners believed in the principle of self-determination and the right of the people to choose their own form of government. They saw secession as a legitimate exercise of this right and as a means of protecting their distinct interests and values from the perceived threats posed by the North.
These arguments were central to the Southern justification for secession and helped shape the historical narrative and perspective of the Southern states during and after the Civil War.