Mr. BROMWELL. This is my idea, that a compact once formed, exists by egal vitality, and that that vitality is of such a nature that it derives its essence from the consent of the contracting parties; that to violate that compact is the province of one, but to dissolve it requires the whole. Therefore, the Federal Union once launched under the compact of its organization could not be dissolved except by: the unanimous consent of every State by a majority of its people, or else by the consent of a part in a manner 1st provided for and directed in the Constitution at its original formation. But he that talks about one State dissolving this Union is utting dissolution in the place of violation, an dissent in place of consent; for secession is an assertion t tat dissent makes and unmakes the law, which under our institutions is not possible. I do not contend for that. I contend that one State may violate the Constitution, but it takes all of them to dissolve it. If the Gentfrom Kentucky, myself, and others were in partnership for the purpose of carrying on a mercantile pusiness, every man can see that the Gentfrom Kentucky [Mr. SMITH] could not dissolve that compact and make it no longer binding on himself. But he can violate it, and I cannot go into court against him unless I aver that he has violated it. That is the ground of the judgment of a court, that a violation has taken place and what says the court? The court says, aviolation bein proven, the party violating has no longer a rightto ask for a single thing under and by virtue of the compact which he has trodden under foot. Now, sir, when I say that a partner is in that condition, I mean the same as when I say that the State of Alabama, for instance, has violated the political compact; and, therefore, she cannot come in court and demand as a right that she shall sit here and help give laws to the States ofKentucky and Illinois; yet the remain der of the p rtiiers can bring her to the bar to render satis action according to the principles of justice and good conscience, and the interests of the Republic; for a willful violation whereby she brought upon this country the untold hor rors of this dreadful war.