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The original Union was voluntary. That's the one George Washington wanted. "Consent of the governed" with him was key. He was the Anti-Lincoln.

"No State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate." Article V, US Constitution.

Now why do you suppose a state could consent to being denied their equal suffrage in the Senate? Could it be because they had the legal option under the Constitution to SECEDE??

Illinois motto: "State Sovereignty, National Union" Ole Abe was shot too soon. The 39th Congress wiped out half his state's motto. Walt cheers.

The original Union was voluntary. That's the one George Washington wanted. "Consent of the governed" with him was key. He was the Anti-Lincoln.

You can't make that a true statement based on anything Washington said.

Walt

The original Union was voluntary. That's the one George Washington wanted. "Consent of the governed" with him was key. He was the Anti-Lincoln.

Apparently you are not reading the words of Washington that I have posted repeatedly.

"Thirteen sovereignties pulling against each other, and all tugging at the federal head, will soon bring ruin to the whole; whereas a liberal, and energetic Constitution, well guarded and closely watched, to prevent encroachments, might restore us to that degree of respectability and consequence, to which we had a fair claim, and the brightest prospect of attaining..."

George Washington to James Madison November 5, 1786

What Washington said, and what Lincoln said are entirely consistant. It was Lincoln who defended the government established by the framers of the Constitution.

Walt

ARTICLE V
MODE OF AMENDMENT
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The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

It has to do with amending the Constitution. All the members of the Senate had to be there unless their state said it was ok for them not to be. Where do you read a right to secession into that Article? Curious minds would like to know.

"No State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate." Article V, US Constitution.

That's not all it says.

The Constitution also promises that each state shall be guaranteed a republican form of government. Sort of hard to do if a state withdraws, isn't it?

The Constitution also promises in Article Four Section One, Para. 1 that "the Citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states." Sort of hard to do if a state may withdraw, isn't it?

Your position is absurd.

"The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government. But the Constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all."

-- George Washington, Farewell Address

It was Lincoln who maintained this position against all comers.

Walt