They didn't declare independance, just affirmed their rights under the US Constitution.
In the US, any power not specifically given to the federal government is constitutionally under the states' authority. (Unlike Canada, where any power not
specifically given to the provinces is constitutionally under the federal government's authority.) They're just telling Washington "hands
off".
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
In the US, any power not specifically given to the federal government is constitutionally under the states' authority. (Unlike Canada, where any power not
specifically given to the provinces is constitutionally under the federal government's authority.) They're just telling Washington "hands
off".
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012