[Non-Sequitur]

The answer of course is simple: When a government becomes destructive to the means for which it was established, they refuse to allow you to walk away.

Put the southern states didn't even try. They walked out without discussion, without negotiation.

Thus there are no enumerated powers to the government concerning secession...

And nothing in the Constitution supporting the idea of unilateral secession.

[HenryLeeII]

Non-Sequitur: Put [sic] the southern states didn't even try. They walked out without discussion, without negotiation...And nothing in the Constitution supporting the idea of unilateral secession.

There is nothing in the Constitution requiring a state to negotiate with the federal government in order to secede. As we have discussed, the federal government was originally intended to be bound by the explicitly-stated powers given to it by the states in the Constitution, and the states hold all other powers, as stated in the Tenth Amendment. And so, as with the NFL replay system, since there is no indisputable evidence to overturn the original call - the states seceding - the play stands. Now all you Yankees git goin' out of our fair Southland, an' be sure to show yer passports if you want to visit us! ;>)

[Maelstrom]

Incorrect yet again.

The Southern states had begun trying as early as 1814.

By 1861, it was impossible for the South to do anything but submit or leave.

The Constitution establishes a limited government of enumerated powers. The enumeration of certain powers was very specifically and precisely noted not to deny nor disparage others retained by the States and the People.

If there's nothing in the Constitution about a topic, it is unconstitutional for the federal government to act upon it.