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A brief history of secession in America. Is secession a valid option? Is it wise? Here's how the subject has been treated over America's short history
American Thinker ^ | 12/18/2020 | Troy Smith

Posted on 12/18/2020 5:54:40 AM PST by SeekAndFind

The call and clamor for secession has steadily increased within the United States over perhaps the last decade and a half. Prior, for the most part, it was more of an intellectual exercise than anything else. Despite its troubles, America remained the most free, prosperous nation on the planet as we rolled into the 20th century.

Then things began to change. Perpetual war, out-of-control spending, and a lack of governmental transparency and accountability, along with cultural corrosion, began to weaken and divide the nation. The 2020 election with its specter of fraud and corruption has perhaps ignited the conversation, particularly after comments made by former congressman Allen West, with regard to succession to a level it hasn’t been at in over a century (Mastrangelo, 2020). Given this, perhaps it would be wise to study our tense history with secession, whether the concept is valid, and whether it would be wise.

Post-Constitution, the first major threat of full state secession came during the Jefferson administration, when the New England states, led by Thomas Pickering, threatened to dissolve their participation in the Union. Their concerns over the Louisiana Purchase, the economic damage of the Jefferson embargo of 1807, and their personal dislike of Jefferson himself gave them the desire to maintain economic relations with the Union while severing the political. Jefferson, for his part, declared in his Inaugural Address of 1801 (among other places) it folly but viable in that if the federal government exceeded its constitutional powers, he would defend their right to secede (DiLorenzo, pp. 86–87). Jefferson’s management of the tense political disputes proved savvy, as no secession was actually implemented, and by the Monroe administration, relations between New England and the rest of the country had significantly improved.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: History; Society
KEYWORDS: america; secession

1 posted on 12/18/2020 5:54:40 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

.


2 posted on 12/18/2020 6:14:18 AM PST by sauropod (Cui bono? I will not comply.)
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To: SeekAndFind

No State would have ever voted to join the Union if they thought for one second that it would be impossible to secede. Look it up.


3 posted on 12/18/2020 6:18:48 AM PST by freedomjusticeruleoflaw (Strange that a man with his wealth would have to resort to prostitution.)
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To: SeekAndFind
I am for secession. It is the only solution to the mess that has a chance of both sides agreeing on something.

Why are there never any polls on this? "If the USA could be peacefully divided into a blue states and red state separate countries, would you be favor of that? "

4 posted on 12/18/2020 6:24:55 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: SeekAndFind

There is a recent book by Francis Buckley called “American Secession.” Before that, Joel Gaureeau (sp?) had a book called “The Nine Nations of North America.”


5 posted on 12/18/2020 6:31:42 AM PST by LS ("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually" (Hendrix) )
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To: central_va

I am for secession. It is the only solution to the mess that has a chance of both sides agreeing on something.


The problem with your position is the assumption that both sides are honorable, they are not.

The Socialists will not be happy until they have destroyed the Red States as a social, military and political power. This is for all the marbles and they think they are winning.

Expulsion is the only reasonable alternative, expulsing county by county those counties that have continually and willfully attempted to manipulate the elections and treasonous activity regarding foreign powers. That including outlawing the Democrat party for the past sins of slavery, racism, supporting the KKK and gross corruption.

Two can play end games. The US would be better off without them both.


6 posted on 12/18/2020 6:38:04 AM PST by joegoeny ("Nuts!")
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To: SeekAndFind

Odd that the author omits to mention the 1869 Supreme Court decision in Texas v. White, in which SCOTUS ruled that the United States was “an indestructible union” and States had no right to secede. Secession is not “legal”, short of a Constitutional Amendment or a successful civil war.


7 posted on 12/18/2020 6:43:04 AM PST by Chewbarkah
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To: central_va

I believe it should be discussed intelligently. Throughout history, the boundaries of countries have constantly changed. In the last 3,000 years think of Rome, Persia, Greece, Great Britain, Israel, Russia, China, and a whole host of others. Heck, even think of our country from 1776 through 1959 when we added Hawaii. Even in the last 20 years Quebec and Scotland both have had elections to succeed. Don’t forget Brexit, either.

By the way, anyone under the age of 40 will not have a clue what happened in the above countries. Thank you public education!

My gut says that when it comes down to getting it done, the majority of Americans would not want it. Look at League of the South. They’ve been skewered for making that one of their primary themes. Many may disagree, but they are a legitimate organization that has been around for many years. Of course, they are not “woke.”

No matter who occupies the White House the next four years are going to be hell. Yes, for different reasons depending on the last name of the occupant, but hell none the less.


8 posted on 12/18/2020 6:51:57 AM PST by icclearly
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To: Chewbarkah
Odd that the author omits to mention the 1869 Supreme Court decision in Texas v. White, in which SCOTUS ruled that the United States was “an indestructible union” and States had no right to secede. Secession is not “legal”, short of a Constitutional Amendment or a successful civil war. “

So if Texas is fed up enough with the corruption of the federal government to actually secede they are going to consern themselves with a supreme court ruling of the same corrupt central government? Good luck with that.

9 posted on 12/18/2020 7:01:44 AM PST by precisionshootist (uic)
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To: freedomjusticeruleoflaw

“The constitution requires an adoption in toto and forever.”
James Madison 20 July 1788


10 posted on 12/18/2020 7:04:39 AM PST by OIFVeteran
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To: Chewbarkah

“Odd that the author omits to mention the 1869 Supreme Court decision in Texas v. White, in which SCOTUS ruled that the United States was “an indestructible union” and States had no right to secede”

and for the past 20 years on FR, there were Freepers who also point out that any ruling can be argued and luckily, overturned. Roe v Wade is an example. You can also be part of a union but have “special status”, the same way Quebec is in Kanada. Quebec IS the reason why canada EXTORTS from the other provinces via equalization payments. I believe TX WILL secede in the future. I been on FR many years and even when obamatard was prez, they keep talking TX turns blue but guess what? It’s been red every time.


11 posted on 12/18/2020 7:04:59 AM PST by max americana (fired liberal employees at every election since 2008 because I enjoy seeing them cry )
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To: SeekAndFind

Secession, followed quickly by pushing New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco into the sea, Chicago into the lake and Portland (OR) into the Columbia River.


12 posted on 12/18/2020 7:31:17 AM PST by UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide (White Privilege does NOT begin with Being White but when you ACT "WHITE"! So, -- ACT "WHITE"!)
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To: Chewbarkah

Pro lifers should just give up then. Row v Wade made abortion legal, so no point arguing about it. I guess the civil rights movement in the mid 20th century was similarly futile. Plessy v Ferguson clearly made segregation legal. I’m not sure where people get this idea that SCOTUS decisions are immutable dictates from heaven or some such. They can and have been overturned when necessary.


13 posted on 12/18/2020 7:42:49 AM PST by stremba
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To: SeekAndFind

Secession is not what is called for in this situation. Martial law is where we are headed until Trump can get this mess under control. My guess is shortly after Jan 6th.


14 posted on 12/18/2020 8:00:34 AM PST by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: OIFVeteran
“The constitution requires an adoption in toto and forever.”

Sorry, Madison was part of the Deep State! Didn't you know that? ;)

15 posted on 12/18/2020 8:02:00 AM PST by Fury (.)
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To: Fury

I’m starting to think everybody, including myself, are part of the deep state.


16 posted on 12/18/2020 8:22:11 AM PST by OIFVeteran
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To: OIFVeteran
I’m starting to think everybody, including myself, are part of the deep state.

For some FReepers, being a constitutionalist qualifies one as being either stupidly ignorant or a willful Deep Stater. The number of FReepers calling for martial law, in some cases to "settle scores", is pretty sad.

17 posted on 12/18/2020 8:24:21 AM PST by Fury (.)
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To: SeekAndFind

The Democrat party should be declared a terrorist organization and disbanded. Anyone advocating Socialism or Communism should be tried for treason. Islam is an ideology and should not have the protections of a religion. That would clean up a lot of problems.


18 posted on 12/18/2020 1:04:38 PM PST by BubbaBasher ("Liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals" - Sam Adams)
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