[WhiskeyPapa]

"By the principles of the American revolution, arbitrary power may and ought to be resisted even by arms if necessary-- The time may come when it shall be the duty of a State, in order to preserve itself from the oppression of the general government, to have recourse to the sword" - Luther Martin, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, January 27, 1788

The sword, not law.

The secessionist sword turned out to be pretty brittle.

Walt

[nolu chan]

[Walt] The secessionist sword turned out to be pretty brittle.

http://www.civilwarhome.com/casualties.htm

The Union armies had from 2,500,000 to 2,750,000 men. Their losses, by the best estimates:

Battle deaths: 110,070
Disease, etc.: 250,152
Total 360,222


The Confederate strength, known less accurately because of missing records, was from 750,000 to 1,250,000. Its estimated losses:

Battle deaths: 94,000
Disease, etc.: 164,000
Total 258,000

[GOPcapitalist]

The sword, not law.

Actually, Martin was one of the delegates who successfully fought to keep the concept of differentiated sovereignties in the Constitution by preserving the rights of the states to prosecute treason against them. He also put forth another clause that would have declared by law that any armed conflict between the federal government and the states would be treated under the laws of nations, though he did not have the votes to bring it to the floor.

The secessionist sword turned out to be pretty brittle.

If so, that speaks volumes about the ineptness of the yankee army, which took 4 long years and some 350,000 lives trying to break a brittle sword!