Threats of Secession

Montreal, Quebec, the United States of America

October 11th, 1789

"You can not be serious, governor."

"I assure you, I am."

Two men sat in a private room in the Governor's Mansion in Montreal, the capital of the state of Quebec. They were the most powerful men in the state; one of them was the richest man in the state, while the other was the political leader of the state. While they disagreed from time to time, they both wanted what was best for the state.

Until now.

Christophe Pelissier looked at Governor Nicholas Tessier with a frightened look as he leaned in closer, "Do you realize what that could do to our state?"

"It is better than allowing that ruling to stand! Do you realize the situation in Quebec, Christophe? The people want Jefferson's head! Most of the state is Catholic, and when they heard the news about sodomy being legalized..."

"Not legalized, but the law regarding invading privacy being unconstitutional!"

"Do you think they see a difference?" Governor Tessier asked. Pelissier went silent as he could not refute the governor's claims, "The people are clamoring for something to be done. And if the government in Philadelphia is unwilling to see reason..."

"Then you will force Quebec to secede from the Union? Only a few years after we joined?" Pelissier replied heatedly.

"We joined on the basis that we would be protected! That we would have autonomy! But now, the federal government has declared the sodomy laws unconstitutional, I believe it is time to make our voice heard and known!"

Pelissier slammed his fist onto the table, "There are other ways to approach the current situation! If you choose the path of secession, it could mean the end of the United States!"

"I am a Quebecois first, and whatever an American is second," Governor Tessier replied, "When Kim was president, he allowed us to act independently and gave us plenty of incentives to remain in the United States."

"Which we will lose if we secede!"

"We will be able to govern ourselves if we secede. But perhaps if the federal government revokes the ruling..."

"You know fully that only the courts can revoke that ruling."

"Then we are at an impasse. Christophe, I know you are loyal to the United States for some reason, but you must realize that I am doing this for the sake of Quebec. Not the United States."

The businessman gripped his fists tightly and sighed, "Governor, if we are to secede, which is unconstitutional in itself, then we will need to face down the United States military. We do not have a military."

"I have already raised a state militia to defend ourselves if it comes down to a war," The governor firmly replied, "We will still maintain our democratic traditions, but we will not accept this federal tyranny lightly. I have already spoken with the governor of North Carolina and a few other states, and they also seem interested in the matter."

"Give me some time to speak to my contacts in Philadelphia," Pelissier asked as he stood up from his seat, "I will work with them to try and find a reasonable solution."

"You have until the end of the year, Christophe. I want to remain in this United States, but if our voices are marginalized and tyrannical laws are imposed on us... Then I'm sure you know what will happen."