David, Stephen and yourself should really do a little more reading than what you can find on-line. Stephen states somehwere that Chase (I love that name) ruled that secession was legal. He in fact ruled just the opposite, as Martin hars so rightly said, let's hear what the man's offical ruling was. To wit:

In his opinion in Texas v White(1869), a case that decided the question of the status of the southern states during the war, Chase and the Court had to determine if US Bonds seized and sold by the Confederate state of Texas were payable by Texas after the war was over. Chase first presented the traditional national theory of secession. That secession did not destroy the State of Texas, nor the obligation of Texans as citizens of the United States.

Chase noted that the Union was not artificial or an arbitrary one. The Union was perpetual. "It began among the Colonies, and grew out of common origin, mutual sympathies, kindred principles, similar interest, and geographical relations. It was confirmed and strengthened by the necessaries of war, and received form, and character, and sanction from the Articles of Confederation. By these the Union was solemnly declared to be 'perpetual." And when these Articles were founded to be inadequate to the exigencies of the country, the Constitution was ordained 'to form a more perfect Union." It is difficult to convey the idea of indissoluble unity more clearly than by these words. What can be indissoluble if a perpetual Union, made more perfect, is not?"

Texas v. White ruled that secession was legally impossible, nevertheless the process of Reconstruction was still Constitutional, grounded as it was in Congress's power to ensure each state a republican government and to recognize the legitimate government in any state. Chase's opinion reaffirmed the permanence of the Union and its states and the duty of the states to the rights and obligations of all citizens.

Oh Stephen, get that? What can be indissoluble if a perpetual Union, made more perfect, is not?" Like Martin, I am awaiting your find in which Chase ruled that secession was legal. I shan't hold my breath.

Chase.