Replies

Madison once posed the question, "An inference from the doctrine that a single State has the right to secede at will from the rest is that the rest would have an equal right to secede from it; in other words, to turn it, against its will, out of its union with them."
Is Madison wrong? What part of the Constitution forbids it?
681 Non-Sequitur

Odd that putting your direct quote into Google pulled up 2 sites. One is an anti succession website and the other is a chat board. Unless you have another source? A Federalist paper? A letter? Any kind of PROOF Madison said that? Hmmmmm?
684 MamaTexan

Whether Madison posed the question is immaterial; -- the question remains valid..

Could the USA force a State out of the Union for implementing a non-republican form of government? [as California is close to doing] -- Obviously not.

The recourse to stop a rogue State, like CA, from violating our Constitution, -- is intervention to enforce Constitutional due process and the rule of law.

Whether Madison posed the question is immaterial; -- the question remains valid..

As I have been posting for quite some time to a FReeper who doesn't source anything, it is VERY MUCH material, thank you.

-----

Could the USA force a State out of the Union for implementing a non-republican form of government?

Yes, as the State would be in breech of contract.

(If you want to get technical, though, most states nowadays operate under the laws of a democracy more that a Republic, so they're all in breech of contract)

:-)