Southern states and their dependence on slavery and the cash crop cotton believed that the State should be able to make and follow its own rules that its governor determined. Though the major factor of The Civil War was slavery, southern states believed that the Union shouldn't be allowed to harbor and care for Fugitive slaves that escaped the plantations, causing distrust and aggressive actions towards the others and potentially starting the war.
From what I can remember, states' rights was a large factor contributing to the Civil War. With Lincoln becoming president and representing the North, the Southern states seceded, leading to a war. The state governments of the South argued that since the Constitution and federal government was created by the states, the federal government had no right to stop states from seceding. President Lincoln and other northerners disagreed and wanted to preserve the Union by stopping states from seceding. After the war, I believe the South still disagreed on a strong federal government. They wanted to rule the area by themselves.
I think that the conclusion that I can draw in regards to him helping Hilary is that he endorsed her. The words of a former US President would likely make Hilary look really good in the limelight. Which is what happened. Since Obama was fond of her and publicly endorsed her, people thought she'd be a good choice in terms of Obama's judgement.
