[Old Teufel Hunden]

"When in the course of human events it becomes.... etc."

Yes, and they formed this new alliance called the Federal government. All the southern states signed onto it. Where in this legal document called the constitution was any state given the right to secede? The southern states were performing an act of rebellion and the federal government had every right to protect the union and to secure the liberty of the enslaved people. What is a government for if it is not there to protect the natural God given rights of it's people?

As the article points out, Lincoln and the Republicans were trying to do this through peaceful and political means. It was the southern states that wanted to oppose this through armed rebellion. Ron Paul is wrong and it sometimes makes me wonder about his son. I hope he's not crazy like his Dad.

[DwFry]

“What is a government for if it is not there to protect the natural God given rights of it’s people?”

Like the God given right of self rule? A government “by the people, for the people”?

You might wanna re-think your position because your entire post contradicts the last sentence.

[central_va]

All the southern states signed onto it. Where in this legal document called the constitution was any state given the right to secede?

If secession was illegal would it surprise if the US Senate voted on legislation making it illegal? Why would they vote on something that was already codified?

Original source: US Senate records: Look at the vote on Article 8 Yeas 18 nays 28, VOTED DOWN!

[An.American.Expatriate]

Where in this legal document called the constitution was any state given the right to secede?

All powers not granted ...

Actually your question is backwards - where was the federal government given the right to force a state to remain? The states were soveriegn and had only given those sovereign powers to the national government as were deemed necessary for the good of all states. There is no clause which disallows a state from removing itself from the compact, nor any provision granting the federal government the power to compell a member to remain ...

[runninglips]

Where in this legal document called the constitution was any state given the right to secede?

Government does not give rights, they are inherent within man and his relationships and come from God. Your premise is flawed.