What were the arguments Southerners used to claim that they had the right to secede?

1. The federal government of the United States did not have the right to impose an anti-slavery law. Whether a state wanted to allow or disallow slavery should be decided by the state - not the federal government.

2. The states had created the union by voluntarily agreeing to join and create the United States. The states could just as easily nullify their agreement.

3. The imposition of tariffs on goods imported from England were aimed at protecting Northern manufacturers.