"The compact can only be dissolved by the consent of the other parties, or by usurpations or abuses of power justly having that effect".
Do you agree with that?
I agree totally. Can you point to the usurpations or abuses of power that occurred in 1860 that justified secession?
As Madison said in his letter to Webster in 1833, unilateral secession is nothing but a "violation of a faith solemnly pledged."
Yes I do. But before you try and jump on that second half of the sentence I should also point out that Madison also said, "The characteristic distinction between free Governments and Governments not free is, that the former are founded on compact, not between the Government and those for whom it acts, but between the parties creating the Government. Each of those being equal, neither can have more rights to say that the compact has been violated and dissolved, than every other has to deny the fact, and to insist on the execution of the bargains."