Your opinions are invited.

Was secession an absolute right of the states when the country was founded?

It seems to me that I remember it was taught that way at West Point up to 1857 or so....so....discuss!

wzlwmn

It seems that most of the politicians of the day,even the Unionists thought that it was a states right to secede from the Union. There is nothing in the Constitution that says a State cannot secede from the Union.

Here is an excellent treatise on states' rights, with focus on secession:

States' Rights

Here is an article on the subject by economist Walter Williams:

Do States Have a Right of Secession?

which includes:

Let's look at a few quotations. Thomas Jefferson in his First Inaugural Address said, "If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union, or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left to combat it." Fifteen years later, after the New England Federalists attempted to secede, Jefferson said, "If any state in the Union will declare that it prefers separation ... to a continuance in the union .... I have no hesitation in saying, 'Let us separate.'"

My some what joking opinion.

I tend to believe the states have the right to secede.

The South should have been allowed to secede and then the North should have invaded them to free the people and institute democracy. After many years they would be allowed to elect a government that would support the North. Then the North would not have to be sending federal dollars to them now just sending them CARE packages and letting UNICEF help them. Just kidding.

Seriously, I think states should be allowed to secede, but I am not sure how the US would have faired had that happened.

How is the EU dealing with this idea? They will become increasingly bound. have they learned from us?

leaving the EU

This shows how to leave the EU.

Well, hold on there...

The Supreme Court has already ruled on this; the States do not have a legal right to secede.

Texas v White

Ack! Tx v White is a bit precious after the late butt-whuppin', isn't it?