I don't understand; why do people defend things such as the confederate flag

[Crunchy]

Minimalist Wrote:
Now, name me one government which simply rolled over and allowed itself to be replaced by rebels.

Canada. 
We rebels repatriated our constitution from the UK through an agreement, not through war.

Actually, it isn't different at all.  In both cases a specific socio-economic class wanted to replace the existing ruling class. 

Now C'mon. The differences for wanting independence can't just be swept under the rug as though all reasons are meaningless. There was a worldwide movement against slavery that had been going on and most countries abolished slavery without having a civil war over it.