The states collectively and severally created the FEDERAL government - not the other way around. Their decisions were unilateral - devoid of coercion.
As parties to the compact that created the federal government, the states are the final arbiter of decisions with respect to federal relations - NOT the federal Supreme Court, Legislature or Executive.
The legislature and executive have had laws and orders overturned by the courts, and decisions of the Supreme Court have been overturned by the people of the several states via Constitutional amendment 4 times in our history.
That is not true.
The Constitution was ratified in special conventions called for the purpose -- the states were bypassed.
Chief Justice Marshall said as much.
Now, one of you neo-rebs has --quoted-- Chief Justice Marshall's majority opinion in McCullough v. Maryland from 1819 in an attempt to skew perception of these events -- (I think it was you. If not, please deny.)
So you --know-- better and yet you persist in an interpretation that is ahistorical.
From McCullough:
"The convention which framed the constitution was, indeed, elected by the State legislatures. But the instrument, when it came from their hands, was a mere proposal, without obligation, or pretensions to it. It was reported to the then existing Congress of the United States, with a request that it might "be submitted to a convention of Delegates, chosen in each State, by the people thereof, under the recommendation of its legislature, for their assent and ratification." This mode of proceeding was adopted; and by the Convention, by Congress, and by the State Legislatures, the instrument was submitted to the people. They acted upon it, in the only manner in which they can act safely, effectively, and wisely, on such a subject, by assembling in Convention. It is true, they assembled in their several States; and where else should they have assembled? No political dreamer was ever wild enough to think of breaking down the lines which separate the States, and of compounding the American people into one common mass. Of consequence, when they act, they act in their States. But the measures they adopt do not, on that account cease to be the measures of the people themselves, or become the measures of the state governments."
The people ratified the Constitution, not the states.
Walt