It's not in the Constitution, which was drafted before Virginia conditionally agreed to accept same under its, the Virginia convention's, conditions. If those conditions were unacceptable to the Union, the Union had the right to reject the acceptance and exclude Virginia. It did not do so, and thereby accepted Virginia into the Union under the terms and conditions offered by the Commonwealth, including the right of secession. Basic contract law. Let's face it, we are a Union just as much based on states being militarily forced into the association as the former Soviet Union was a union. The Soviet Union broke up, and it can happen here. J South In a message dated 6/30/2008 11:29:06 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: WHere in the Constitution does it say any of the states have a right to withdraw? Paul Finkelman President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law and Public Policy Albany Law School 80 New Scotland Avenue Albany, New York 12208-3494 518-445-3386 [log in to unmask] >>> <[log in to unmask]> 06/30/08 11:22 AM >>> It is not a unilateral breach of contract if the basis under which one party terminates the agreement has been accepted previously by the other party. That is known as an option, and Virginia reserved the option to opt out of the Union should its state delegation vote to do so. Cf Corbin's Text on Contracts, (Hornbook Series) By Arthur L Corbin In a message dated 6/30/2008 10:15:22 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: It is never possible to unilaterally break a contract or agreement. This is especially true with a Constitution. If Va. wanted out Va. need to get a Constitutional Amendment or at least an act of Congress to end the relationship. If one party wants out of a marriage there is an obligation to go get a divorce; not simply take whatever property he/she can grab and walk out the door and say Ihave divorced you by my own fiat. **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007) ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html