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Sorry, John, don't mean to offend, but the Declaration says that a decent regard for the opinions of mankind dictate the laying out of grievances sufficient to alter the political arrangements. Sometimes, the grievances are so severe that a recourse to arms is justified. That is different from harboring the kind of aspirations to break off that I was referring to. I don't recall the Constitution addressing the matter, except insofar as it invokes "We the people". The Civil War, however, was fought to preserve the Constitution, and to show the limits of self- determination. I do not believe, for example, that Dade County in Florida, were it to vote to secede and join with Cuba, would have the right to do so. At some point, boundaries must be considered settled, and even if there are disputes, they ought to be the subject of negotiation, not insurrection, with the one exception ( of grievous oppression) that I have mentioned... |
