Gordon returned the smile. “Exactly, sir. Since the Constitution did not mention the act of secession one way or the other, and the Tenth Amendment specifically gave the states all rights not enumerated as belonging to the Federal Government in the Constitution, it was well within the prerogatives of the southern states to leave the Union. Given that, Lincoln’s use of federal troops to suppress southern freedom was illegal. And given the fact that the first shots were fired in a southern state at soldiers of a foreign power that refused to withdraw when asked, I’d say aggression is an apt term.”

Raising his hands in mock surrender, Scott chuckled. “Sir, I assure you, I am not here to refight a war that will be discussed and debated long after we’re all dead and buried.” Dropping his hands to the table, Scott leaned back in his seat. “What we are here to look at, however, is a subject that could be as divisive to us as the breaking up of the Union was to our forefathers.”

In a single, swift movement, Scott sat upright, folded his hands on the table before him. “As part of our commissioning oath we pledged ourselves to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. While it is very easy and desirable from a professional standpoint to focus on dealing with foreign threats, we would be remiss in our duties if we ignored our responsibilities when it comes to enforcing the laws of our nation within our territorial borders, even if that means a confrontation with our fellow Americans.”

Scott let this thought hang in the air for a moment. Looking about at the table he could tell that he had the attention of everyone in the room. Of course, when you’re the commanding general, you come to expect that. But the intense stares that met his quick gaze told him that there was a genuine interest in today’s topic. That much of this was due to his own wife’s recent story about the difficulties in Idaho didn’t matter. What was important was that his senior commanders were already thinking about a topic that they would not have ordinarily considered relevant. That, in itself, justified the time taken out of the busy schedules of his senior leadership.

“Throughout our nation’s history,” Scott continued briskly, “the Army has been called upon, from time to time, to do exactly that. At times those duties were distasteful. Sometimes they were controversial. While individuals elected to do otherwise, never has the Army, as an institution, failed to perform its duty.”