One nation, indivisible? : a study of secession and the Constitution

Part One : The compact theory versus the nationalist theory of the Union. Position One : The Union is older than the states. Position Two : The Constitution is a Union of "people." Webster's key arguments against the compact theory. One last note on Daniel Webster

Part Two: Lincoln's case against Southern secession. Position One: The Union belongs to the "people." Position Two: the Union is perpetual. Position Three : States would require permission to leave the Union. Position Four : There is no such thing as 'state sovereignty.' Position Five : Southerners were guilty of rebellion and treason. Position Six : The Southern States might have formed non-republican governments. Position Seven : The Southern States might have defaulted on the debts and obligations of the Union. Position Eight : Secession is anarchy. Position Nine : The South started it

Part Three : The modern case against secession. Position One : Secession is un-American. Position Two : The Constitution and the laws were suspended under Lincoln. Position Three : Lincoln fought to end slavery. Position Four : The United States & Conferderate States could not have peacefully coexisted. Position Five : The United States of America is too important in world affairs to permit secession. Position Six : The Founders opposed secession and hoped for consolidation. Position Seven : The Southern States entered into an unconstitutional confederation. Position Eight : Secession is a question for the Supreme Court

Part Four : The Lincoln legacy and modern secession movements. The war for the American ideal. A changing country, a growing backlash. Potentially helpful constitutional amendments. Secession

American style

Appendix A: The Declaration of Independence

Appendix B: The Articles of Confederation

Appendix C: The Constitution of the United States

Appendix D : Calhoun versus Webster

Appendix E : Abraham Lincoln on the Union and secession

Appendix F: The Emancipation Proclamation

Appendix G: Nullifcation revisited