[4CJ]

The people considered themselves as one people and managed their affairs accordingly.

Wrong. The people of the states did not consider themselves to be one people. Their representatives in the federal convention REFUSED to merge the states into one common mass of people. The state conventions ratified SEPARATELY, with some states joining YEARS after the first state to ratifiy. If we were "one people", then it would have required a single ratification. The pontifications of Hamilton, Jay, Story, Marshall, Lincoln et al could not do what the convention and the states repeatedly REFUSED to do.

[WhiskeyPapa]

If we were "one people", then it would have required a single ratification.

No dreamer would ever say such a thing. When the people act, they act in their states, but the actions do not then become the acts of the states, do they?

Shall I quote McCullough to you?

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

The pontifications of Hamilton, Jay, Story, Marshall, Lincoln et al could not do what the convention and the states repeatedly REFUSED to do.

Enough loyal Union men came forward to preserve the Union. Their opinion mattered. Yours does not.

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

The pontifications of Hamilton, Jay, Story, Marshall, Lincoln et al could not do what the convention and the states repeatedly REFUSED to do.

It wasn't the states that put down the rebellion. It was the people.

Walt