[An.American.Expatriate]

I'll await his dissertation on Federalist #47.

Me too! :D

As to the premise of leaving Virginia - the consitution is more or less silent here, other than to guarantee a repubican form of government, it says little on what powers the people / a state has within the state. Therefore, what I state does NOT apply to a state government per se (although it gernally does in practice - it depends on what powers the people granted to the state ...).

Anarchy - yes! Desirable - no! Allowed - that seems to be the question :D

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Allowed - that seems to be the question :D"

And this is the crux of the argument. I don't see anywhere where this power of secession is given to any state or local government. You are talking about a right, but rights are accorded individuals, not states. I don't see any constitution (Federal or State) where the citizens delegated a power to allow a state to secede on their behalf. Citizens have the power to secede if they want. They can move to a different state or different country. Where did the citizens delegate this power to our Federal, State or Local governments?

[Publius]

...the consitution is more or less silent here, other than to guarantee a repubican form of government, it says little on what powers the people / a state has within the state.

One of the stories I'll be adding to our "Debate over the Constitution" threads via essay is the story of the Dorr Rebellion in Rhode Island. The best account is by Forrest McDonald in States' Rights and the Union, but there are probably other reasonably good accounts available on the Internet.

It was where the Right to Alter or Abolish got its first test -- and the federal government failed.