[Still Thinking]

The U.S. Constitution would have never been ratified — and a union never created — if the people of those 13 "free sovereign and Independent States" did not believe that they had the right to secede. Even on the eve of the War of 1861, unionist politicians saw secession as a right that states had. Rep. Jacob M. Kunkel of Maryland said, "Any attempt to preserve the union between the states of this Confederacy by force would be impractical and destructive of republican liberty." The Northern Democratic and Republican parties favored allowing the South to secede in peace.

Exactly. If entry was voluntary, then it would be assumed that staying was voluntary.

[DoodleDawg]

Exactly. If entry was voluntary, then it would be assumed that staying was voluntary.

Entry is not voluntary. A territory cannot proclaim themselves a state and send a congressional delegation to Washington. Entry is allowed only with the consent of the other states as expressed through a vote in both houses of Congress. I'm OK if leaving only requires the same thing.

[RedStateRocker]

My understanding is that the Confederate constitution did not allow secession. Interesting that.