The Constitution does give the Federal government the power to resist violence against its personnel and its 
property. Had Virginia proceeded in an entirely peaceful, mannerly, and orderly fashion of the then existing 
political protocol, it might have avoided the stigma of "rebellion". But she did not and suffered the consequences. 
Would have the consequences been the same had she done as so described? -- for the times, probably so. As 
improbable of successfully seceding from the Union may be using the 9th and 10th Amendments, the Constitution 
provides for a peaceful and orderly progression to that end as well as any other end: socialism, communism, a 
dictatorship, whatever the overwhelming majority of the people deem.

Currently we are living in times where a slight majority sees things one way and the minority the other and it is 
disconcerting to the loser. Well, that's the way it is. We are a two party system. And that's the way it will be 
until we are confronted by a readily, universally recognizable force or terrible enemy that subverts and 
marginalizes our differences in the common defense of our entire system.

You simply have to convince, I believe, fully two thirds of the Nation to your cause -- without resorting to 
unlawful acts to have your way.

That's the beauty of a written Constitution where the law is applicable to all and should a particular law be 
onerous or faulty then there is an avenue to proceed peaceable to change it.

Because you do not succeed in changing the Constitution or its laws or its government to your particular liking 
does not invalid the legitimacy of that lawfully constituted government. It means you are inept in instructing and 
bringing your fellow citizens to your cause and it's your fault and not the fault of anyone else. If it's not to 
your liking, you are to blame. Your influence is inept and so too are your powers of persuasion.

That's all predicated on the assumption that you believe in obeying the law; and, if you don't, you are willing to 
suffer the consequences.

Anything you don't like about our "special" government is your own fault. How you go about bringing it to your 
liking is in your hands totally.

As to perpetuity: Nothing is forever! Not the life of the sun, the human species, our "special" government, our 
"formative" concept of political "freedom", and especially you, the individual.

W. R. (Ray) Waddell 

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