The constitution is a contract. The penalties for breaking that contract are severe. The only way states could legally leave the union is if another constitutional convention was called and some states chose not to attend.
Indeed. From Daniel Webster of Massachusetts:
If the South were to violate any part of the Constitution intentionally and systematically, and persist in so doing, year after year, and no remedy could be had, would the North be any longer bound by the rest of it? And if the North were deliberately, habitually, and of fixed purpose to disregard one part of it, would the South be bound any longer to observe its other obligations? I have not hesitated to say, and I repeat, that if the Northern States refuse, willfully and deliberately, to carry into effect that part of the Constitution which respects the restoration of fugitive slaves, and Congress provide no remedy, the South would no longer be bound to observe the compact. A bargain cannot be broken on one side and still bind the other side.
The only way states could legally leave the union is if another constitutional convention was called and some states chose not to attend.
Where does the Constitution lay out the procedure you propose? In fact, where in the Constitution is secession made illegal?
the FACTS are that NONE of the original states would have FREELY joined a union from which they could not just as FREELY withdraw, "at their own motion".
this is especially true of the smaller states, who NOT without cause, feared that NY,PA & VA would "run the country" permanently to the detriment of the small states (like RI & CT,for example.)
furthermore, you should take a serious look at the 10TH Amendment & tell us all where the STATES ceded the RIGHT of secession to the federal government.
free dixie,sw