I've read a fair amount of Davis's speeches and writings and seen nothing that indicated that Davis ever had more than a passing knowledge of the Constitution. The 10th Amendment talks of powers delegated to the United States AND powers prohibited to the states. Powers to approve changes in status were powers delegated to the United States. Actions that had a negative impact on the other states were actions denied to the states. Implied in both of these is unilateral secession.
I daresay he's certainly a better constitutional scholar than you.
The 10th Amendment talks of powers delegated to the United States AND powers prohibited to the states. Powers to approve changes in status were powers delegated to the United States. Actions that had a negative impact on the other states were actions denied to the states. Implied in both of these is unilateral secession.
For an opposing view more eloquent than I could express, here's a presentation to Congress about the Tenth Amendment: Pilon Statement
Also, let's review statements by various Constitution ratification conventions.
South Carolina: "This Convention doth also declare, that no section or paragraph of the said Constitution warrants a construction that the states do not retain every power not expressly relinquished by them, and vested in the general government of the Union.
New York: "That the powers of government may be reassumed by the people whenever it should become necessary to their happiness, that every power, jurisdiction and right which is not by the said Constitution clearly delegated to the Congress of the United States or the departments of the government thereof, remains to the people of the several States, or to their respective State governments, to whom they may have granted the same; and that those clauses in the said Constitution, which declare that Congress shall not have or exercise certain powers, do not imply that Congress is entitled to any powers not given by the said Constitution; but such clauses are to be construed either as exceptions to certain specified powers or as inserted merely for greater caution."
Rhode Island: "That the powers of government may be reassumed by the people, whensoever it shall become necessary to their happiness."
Virginia: "The delegates do, in the name and in behalf of the people of Virginia, declare and make known that the powers granted under the Constitution, being derived from the people of the United States, may be resumed by them whensoever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression, and that every power not granted thereby remains with them and at their will."
North Carolina proposed amendment: "1. That each state in the Union shall respectively retain every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Constitution delegated to the Congress of the United States, or to the departments of the federal government."
Massachusetts proposed amendment: "First, That it be explicitly declared that all Powers not expressly delegated by the aforesaid Constitution are reserved to the several States to be by them exercised."
New Hampshire proposed amendment: "I. That it be explicitly declared that all powers not expressly and particularly delegated by the aforesaid Constitution, are reserved to the several States, to be by them exercised."