[Mia T]

The Articles of Confederation cleared the way for the Constitution; which created a stronger, Federal government. The Articles of Confederation created "a perpetual union", and those who signed it could hardly make the argument that having signed agreement to a perpetual union, secession would be retained as a right of the individual States; you can't have a union that's both perpetual, and dissoluble.--Luis Gonzalez

Interesting discussion.

From another angle:

Notwithstanding the 200-plus years of union since the ratification of The Articles of Confederation, it seems to me creating "a perpetual union" by edict was an extravagant, fanciful and arrogant 18th-century conceit, not unlike decreeing into existence a perpetual motion machine. Sooner or later, it seems to me, the laws of nature must prevail.

[Brian Allen]

<< .... creating "a perpetual union" by edict was an extravagant, fanciful and arrogant 18th-century conceit, not unlike decreeing into existence a perpetual motion machine. Sooner or later, it seems to me, [G-d's and] the laws of nature must prevail. >>

Precisely.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"...it seems to me creating "a perpetual union" by edict was an extravagant, fanciful and arrogant 18th-century conceit..."

Calling the Founding Fathers arrogant is quite a concept.

Nevertheless, a perpetual union was formed, and thus far, nothing has been able to dissolve it.

In proper perspective, this "extravagant, fanciful and arrogant 18th-century conceit" of the Founders, was far less of each category than the notion of the Divine Rights of Kings.

And lastly, the attempt at dissolving the perpetual union was crushed.

Better luck next time.