Wisconsin Republicans To Vote On Secession

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15. Lincoln refrained from describing the rebels with the T-word, even after they took up arms against

the U.S.

My fuzzy recollection is that SCOTUS decided (with a post-civil war opinion) that unilateral succession is not constitutional, Texas v. White, 74 U.S. 700 (1869).

By extension, succession is hypothetically possible, but the process remains undefined. Likely, it would require essentially reversing the process for statehood and Congressional concurrence would be necessary.

Treason on the other hand is defined precisely in the Constitution, "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort."

A vote, even one to declare war, falls far short of actually levying war. And in the absence of a Congressional Declaration of War, there would be a shortage of enemies to aid & comfort.