The reality is that we no longer live under a Constitutional Government as written by our forefathers and haven't been living under that Constitution since 1865. What Sherman was describing in his views is a government which dictates from a Throne. A Throne big enough to seat 435 Repersentatives, 100 Senators, 1 President, and 9 Judges, but a Throne non the less.
You can believe what you want but the question of the Constitutional right to seceed is growing again in many circle outside War Between the States discussions groups. We heard of this in Alaska during the most recent Presidential Campaign, and in Montana, and even in Vermont. These are certainly not "Radical" southern states.
While secession is not being given much credience right now, it does seem to have a growing following. The only other peaceful alternative would be revolution. It is a simple matter of physic that you can't dribble enough clean water into a sewer to make the sewer water drinkable. You have to build a different system to supply your drinking water.
As people become more and more dissatisfied with their government in this country that sentiment can only grow as long as our government displays Sherman's attitude that they know best what is good for their stupid little children that somehow were "Smart" enough to elect them to public office.
Such was the despotism of King George III.