I often find myself at odds with the rest of the world. Most of them think socialism is a good idea, and it does not bother me at all to be correct when the vast majority of everyone else is wrong.
The definition of “rebellion” in Merriam-Webster (certainly not a fringe publication) states that rebellion is:
1: Opposition to one in authority or dominance
2a: open, armed, and usually unsuccessful defiance or resistance to an established government
2b: an instance of such defiance or resistance
The premise which you assert, but which is incorrect, is that the Federal government in Washington DC represents the "authority" in question. Once secession has taken place, that government is no longer the authority. For proof of this, I point out the nation's founding document which clearly states:
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
We have a built in methodology for "disestablishing" an "established" government. It's part of our core structure. Therefore you definition doesn't apply, because it doesn't recognize this unique characteristic of America's foundation principle.
By this definition the Civil War was a rebellion, as was Shay’s Rebellion and the Whiskey rebellion, to use just a few examples from American history.
The Whiskey rebellion and Shay's rebellion do not compare to holding statewide democratic elections, and therefore implementing the express will of the people of the states involved. It is clearly recognized that these states had the right to do so in 1776, and so therefore they had this same right "four score and seven years" later.
You still have not stated why the Merriam-Webster definition was wrong and yours is correct.
Just did. Didn't think I needed to, but some people need things spelled out for them.
In addition, your definition of rebellion is very changeable. You had previously stated, and I quote, that a “rebellion is an effort to take control of an existing government”.
It certainly is in our society. As I mentioned, we have a built in methodology for going our own way, so doing that cannot be "rebellion." It's in accordance with our legal framework, not contrary to it. In such a system, the only way to "rebel" is to usurp the rightful authority, and attempt to force your control on other states which do not want it.
Lincoln "rebelled."
So, we attempted to take control of an existing government in the American Revolution? When did we attempt to take control of the British government? Was there an invasion of Great Britain and a pitched battle at Parliament that I’m unaware of? Since we obviously won the Revolution, we obviously took control of the British government. Was William Pitt beheaded, or just sent to Australia as a prisoner?
By the way, I just love your defining out the Whiskey Rebellion and Shay’s Rebellion since they weren’t preceeded by statewide elections. Nice to deal with things by defining them out of existance
So, to summarize, Digones Lamp is right and everybody else is wrong because Diogenes Lamp says so. All the history books, all the dictionaries, all the encyclopedias are wrong and you are right.
Sounds like a very comfortable little world you’ve created for yourself. Hope you’re enjoying it.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, 1856 Edition
REBELLION, crim. law. The taking up arms traitorously against the government and in another, and perhaps a more correct sense, rebellion signifies the forcible opposition and resistance to the laws and process lawfully issued.2. If the rebellion amount to treason, it is punished by the laws of the United States with death. If it be a mere resistance of process, it is generally punished by fine and imprisonment. See Dalloz, Dict. h. t.; Code Penal, 209.
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INSURRECTION. A rebellion of citizens or subjects of a country against its government.
2. The Constitution of the United States, art. 1, s. 8. gives power to congress "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions."
3. By the act of Congress of the 28th of February, 1795, 1 Story's L. U. S. 389, it is provided: 1. That whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion, from any foreign nation or Indian tribe, it shall be lawful for the president of the United States to call forth such number, of the militia of the state, or states, most convenient to the place of danger, or scene of action, as he may judge necessary to repel such invasion, and to issue his orders, for that purpose, to such officer or officers of the militia as be shall think proper. And in case of an insurrection in any state, against the government thereof, it shall be lawful for the president of the United States, on application of the legislature of such state, or of the executive, (when the legislature cannot be convened,) to call forth such number of the militia of any other state or states, as may be applied for, as he may judge sufficient to suppress such insurrection.
4. - 2 That, whenever the laws of the United States shall be opposed, or the execution thereof obstructed, in any state, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by this act, it shall be lawful for the president of the United States to call forth the militia of such state, or of any other state or states, as may be necessary to suppress such combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed; and the use of militia so to be called forth may be continued, if necessary, until the expiration of thirty days after the commencement of the then next session of congress.
5. - 3. That whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of the president, to use the military force hereby directed to be called forth, the president shall forthwith, by proclamation, command such insurgents to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes, within a limited time.
Article 4, section 4:
The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.
Article I, section 8, Clase 15, provides Congress shall have the power
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections, and repel Invasions.
insurrection. (15c) A violent revolt against an oppressive authority, usu. a government. ...“Insurrection is distinguished from rout, riot, and offense connected with mob violence by the fact that in insurrection there is an organized and armed uprising against authority or operations of government, while crimes growing out of mob violence, however serious they may be and however numerous the participants, are simply unlawful acts in disturbance of the peace which do not threaten the stability of the government or the existence of political society.” 77 C.J.S. Riot; Insurrection § 29, at 579 (1994).
Black's Law Dictionary, 11th Ed., 2019.
This may be what constrains President Trump without a State invitation to use federal troops.