...couldn't towns secede from their counties — and individuals from their towns? "Plainly," said Lincoln, "the central idea of secession, is the essence of...anarchy": A majority, held in restraint by constitutional checks, and limitations, and always changing easily, with deliberate changes of popular opinions and...

...may not any portion of a new confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede...produce harmony only, and prevent renewed secession? despotism. Unanimity is impossible; the rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement, is wholly inadmissible;...

...may not any portion of a new confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede...being educated to the exact temper of doing this. compose a new Union, as to produce harmony only, and prevent renewed secession? Plainly, the central...

...Carl Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln: The War Years, Vol. I, p. 132 (New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co., 1939). Plainly, the central idea of secession is the essence...anarchy. A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and...

...argument that secession had a constitutional or legal basis, Lincoln got to the heart of the matter: Plainly the central idea of secession is the essence...anarchy. A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and...

...anywhere.... If the minority will not acquiesce, the majority must, or the government must cease.... Plainly, the central idea of secession, is the essence...anarchy. A majority, held in restraint by constitutional checks, and limitations, and always changing easily, with deliberate changes of popular opinions and...

...may not any portion of a new confederacy a year or two hence arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede...anarchy. A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and...

...may not any portion of a new confederacy a year or two hence arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede...anarchy. A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and...

...may not any portion of a new confederacy a year or two hence arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede...anarchy. A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations, and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular opinions and...

...may not any portion of a new confederacy, a year or two hence, arbitrarily secede again, precisely as portions of the present Union now claim to secede...educated to the exact temper of doing this. Is there such a perfect identity of interests among the States to compose a new Union, as to produce harmony only,...