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To: TexConfederate1861
Sincere men have long had a difference of opinion over these matters. But from my point of view, it seems that the Virginians must have been confused if they thought they retained the right of secession when the document they ratified explicitly forbid secession as a practical act. Look at all the the prohibitions on items involved in undertaking a practical secession listed in Article 1, Section 10 of the US Constitution that the Confederate states violated.

Clause 1: No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

Clause 2: No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

Clause 3: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Now I suppose a state could secede without keeping armed forces, entering a compact with other states, make treaties, coin money, or make war, but in such a case, secession would be pointless.

269 posted on 09/14/2005 1:29:17 AM PDT by Colonel Kangaroo
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To: Colonel Kangaroo

The point is that if a state SECEDES, then it is no longer a state, but a nation, and therefore, no longer bound by the Constitution. Therefore none of the prohibitions would apply.


276 posted on 09/14/2005 12:52:58 PM PDT by TexConfederate1861
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To: Colonel Kangaroo
The phrase 'No State' refers to a member of the federal republic - by seceding the state and her citizens are no longer bound by the terms of the federal Constitution. Secession is NOT prohibited.
286 posted on 09/15/2005 5:31:50 AM PDT by 4CJ (||) OUR sins put Him on that cross. HIS love for us kept Him there.(||)
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