Chase also wrote, 'As preliminary to the very able discussions of the Constitution which we have heard from the bar, and as having some influence on its construction, reference has been made to the political situation of these States anterior to its formation. It has been said that they were sovereign, were completely independent, and were connected with each other only by a league. This is true.' [Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 US 1 (1824)].
I only had to go down to the first quote you reference to find your massive editing and spinning. You left out the BUT that came immediately after "this is true". Funny you should pick a quote that comes from a case that EXTENDED the powers of the federal government over the states. Here is the sentence in the quote that comes immeditately after the PART of the quote you reference:
"But, when these allied sovereigns converted their league into a government, when they converted their Congress of Ambassadors, deputed to deliberate on their common concerns, and to recommend measures of general utility, into a Legislature, empowered to enact laws on the most interesting subjects, the whole character in which the States appear, underwent a change, the extent of which must be determined by a fair consideration of the instrument by which that change was effected."
Typical yankee response. If someone doesn't post the entire opinion ...
Chase wrote, 'it has been said that they [the several states] were sovereign, were completely independent, and were connected with each other only by a league. This is true'.
Lincoln claimed the states never were independent, that somehow a mythical union predated them, created them from nothingness. Perhaps Lincoln, not being a Christian, sought to ascribe some godlike power to this mystical union. Maybe he was into spiritualism, who knows. But historical fact proves otherwise, the states were independent, and declared their independence separately.
The author of the piece you posted is unaware of historical fact, several states had declared their independence prior to 4 Jul 1776, several did not even sign the Declaration until August (one of them being New York). Even Justice Chase, in Ware v Hylton, recognized that fact:
In June 1776, the Convention of Virginia formally declared, that Virginia was a free, sovereign, and independent state.
Interesting decision, as Chase continues with a statement that can be applied to conditions in 1861:
Before these solemn acts of separation from the Crown of Great Britain, the war between Great Britain and the United Colonies, jointly, and separately, was a civil war; but instantly, on that great and ever memorable event, the war changed its nature, and became a PUBLIC war between independent governments; and immediately thereupon ALL the rights of public war (and all the other rights of an independent nation) attached to the government of Virginia; and all the former political connection between Great Britain and Virginia, and also between their respective subjects, were totally dissolved; and not only the two nations, but all the subjects of each, were in a state of war.