I am only taking a view of what the Constitution’s words actually say. And those same words have been Constitutionally valid since 1778 — well before the Civil War.
And while I acknowledge your point that many southerners believed they were fighting for their family and homes (a fair and valid cause— albeit a bit contradictory, because I personally know numerous descendants of soldiers whose family members were divided by which side of the war they were fighting for) that still does not negate the fact that the Confederacy treasonously engaged in warfare against the Republic (and eventually lost the war.)
Can you imagine if all the American communities, states and regions who’ve received a back-hand from the American government at one point or another all seceded and engaged in warfare against the Republic in order to defend and protect their families and homes? Well then, we’d be in constant war…and I imagine those who cite the “defend their homes and families” motif — valid, but not all encompassing — would have a different take then.
