THE CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES BY FRANCIS NEWTON THORPE IN THREE VOLUMES 1765-1895 VOLUME THREE 1861-1895 CHICAGO CALLAGHAN & COMPANY I hold that, in contemplation of universal law and of the Constitution, the Union of these States is perpetual. Perpetuity is implied, if not expressed, in the fundamental law of all national governments. It is safe to assert that no government proper ever had a provision in its organic law for its own termination. Continue to execute all the express provisions of our National Constitution, and the Union will endure forever-it being impossible to destroy it except by some action not provided for in the instrument itself. Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, |