The perpetual union of the articles of confederation created the people of the United States. The people of the United States did not agree to secession, so such pretended secession in 1861 was not legal. Insurrection pursued with the cover of authority by the illegal pretended insurrection does not make the persons pursuing insurrection less of an enemy. Enemies can be foreign or domestic as stated in the constitution.
The Declaration of Independence explained that the government of England had made war on the colonies, and because of that, the colonies had the right and duty to protect their people by becoming independent states. The Union of those states created the people of the United States.
deprecating=declaring (spell checker issue)
Even if that is so, nothing constrains the states to hold to the federal government established by the Constitution.
From the wikipedia summary:
- Asserts the sovereignty of each state, except for the specific powers delegated to the confederation government, i.e. "Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated."
- Not being sovereign, it does not call the United States of America a "nation" or "government," but instead says, "The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever."
That said, the ratification of the Constitution can be viewed as invalidation of the Articles of Confederation.