Secession was a central issue in Texas v. White because the defense was arguing that since Texas had left the United States and was currently governed under reconstruction law then she was not actually a state and did not have the right to have the case heard by the Supreme Court. The Court, in a 5-3 majority, ruled that secession as practiced by Texas was illegal and therefore Texas had never ceased to be a state even when she was in rebellion. This was the first time the issue had been taken to the court and the ruling was proper. The fact that it was issued 8 years later means nothing. Most Supreme Court decisions are made years after the fact.