Continuance Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“If any state in the Union will declare that it prefers separation... to a continuance in union... I have no hesitation in saying, 'let us separate.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788
Jefferson argues that a state may choose to leave the Union if it believes separation serves its interests.
In simple terms: A state can secede if it feels it benefits.
Key Takeaway
Weigh collective unity against local autonomy.
Themes
politics
secession
federalism
rights
conflict
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- state legislation
- national debates
- civil rights movements
- international secession cases
Key Concepts
constitutional law
political theory
regionalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What conditions justify secession?
- How does secession affect neighboring regions?
A Different Perspective
Risk of fragmentation and conflict.
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
