Mr. Miller needs to educate himself on this era of American History.  There is, and was, NO Constitutional or federal law forbidding the States from leaving the union.  (The states created the federal government, not vice versa).  Lincoln's campaign platform was to ensure slavery did not expand (not eliminate it).  There were about 5 states remaining IN the union that were slave states, (as was DC).  in 1862, the IRS began taxing slave sales in these states to help fund the war.  Since the Confederate states seceded, NONE of the individuals in them could be guilty of "treason" against the US!  In 1958 (I believe) the US Congress passed a law establishing ALL confederates were United States Veterans.  Up to 90000 free blacks fought for the south starting in 1861.  Free blacks in the north: not until 1863.  Slavery was only 1 issue, and even southern leaders knew it would be gone in a few decades.  Please study some history!