You didn't have to highlight anything. I posted it in its entirety for the very purpose of clarity. Really we get all that, as far as Lee's and the Confederacies thoughts on States rights.
However, Lee makes it hard justify his ultimate conclusion, in that while he stands on the principle of States rights, he also considers secession to be treason. "What can it be now?" Odd reasoning from such an intelligent individual.
Where is it stated in the Constitution that keeping the Union intact is one of the enumerated powers of the federal government?
