170 EMPLOYMENT OF THE PLEBISCITE [468 



long as [dcs] this change of mind can be demonstrated by 

 vote of the citizens? For, if the plebiscite possesses alone 

 the efficacy of dissolving political ties, then it must alone be 

 sufficient for this task."^' Referring to the American seces- 

 sion movement he concludes that the Northern States did 

 not hesitate to fight for the maintenance of the Union, be- 

 cause they possesed the consciousness that tradition and the 

 future of the country imperiously demanded such action." 

 The same view is maintained by Stoerk, who states that 

 " here we have reached the heart of the question, which re- 

 veals the principle of the plebiscite as hostile to the state and 

 as theoretically untenable — because its first and next conse- 

 quence is the dissolution of all state existence."" 



85 Bonfils, no 570. 



86 Ibid. 



8T Stoerk, p. 67. 



