And not just me, that was also Lincoln's opinion, and not just Lincoln, but all five of the US Presidents still living in 1860!
That they did not secure such consent from England makes this a case of "do as I say, not as I do." Given Madison's role in promoting the US constitution of 1787, I can see where he wouldn't want to see his work undone.
That chip on your shoulder must be uncomfortable. It sure is unpleasant ;’)
DiogenesLamp: "That they did not secure such consent from England makes this a case of "do as I say, not as I do"...
Again, you have it backwards.
It was the 1774 Brits who unilaterally & illegitimately abrogated the Massachusetts constitution of 1691 and imposed dictatorship over the colonists.
The colonists were given no say, did not agree, and were therefore under no moral or legal obligations to comply with British rule.
Likewise in 1861 Confederates unilaterally & illegitimately abrogated the United States Constitution of 1787, and seized by military force assets of the Federal Government, threatening and shooting at Federal officials.
By US law the Federal Government treated those acts for what they were: rebellion, insurrection, domestic violence, invasion and treason.
DiogenesLamp: "Given Madison's role in promoting the US constitution of 1787, I can see where he wouldn't want to see his work undone."
As Conservatives we believe that our Constitution should mean what our Founders intended it to mean, and no Founder expressed himself more clearly on this particular subject than James Madison.
And no Founder ever explicitly contradicted Madison on this.