While I almost always agree with the Ohio Farmer, I have to quibble with a part of his latest post. He states:
The 13 original states were never separate, independent countries with complete authority over their domestic and foreign affairs.
Really! What were the “states” between the time after the Declaration of Independence was signed but before they ratified the Articles of Confederation? What were North Carolina and Rhode Island after the Articles were dissolved and the new Constitution was implemented in March of 1789 when they remained out of the union? What would NC and RI be if they never ratified the Constitution?
Is the Ohio Farmer forgetting the meaning of this part of the last paragraph of the Declaration:
That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
