The problem I have with the whole pre-Civil-War “state’s rights” arguments is that in many states only one adult in four could vote. That’s hardly government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

And, surprise, in those states the laws egregiously favored white men. No woman came up with the idea that when she got married, she forfeited all her possessions to her husband, or that it was perfectly legal to beat your wife.