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Considering the wording of the Declaration of Independence and that of the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution, I still maintain that any given state does have the fundamental right to withdraw from the union at its own discretion --such a move is the only way to guarantee individual freedom.

And what part of that Constitution allows those states to wash their hands and walk away from obligations like the national debt that was built by the country as a whole while they were a part? Or treaty obligations entered into by the country as a whole while they were a part? Or to seize without compensation every piece of federal property they could get their hands on, which could be said to be owned by all the states? Where does the Constitution give them that right?

I think the Founding Fathers would agree with me for we should always remember the opening line of the declaration, "We the people of the united States of America". "States" is capitalized while "united" is not.

Take another look at it. Compare it with the U in union. It looks to me like a capital U and a capital S.

And what part of that Constitution allows those states to wash their hands and walk away from obligations like the national debt that was built by the country as a whole while they were a part? Or treaty obligations entered into by the country as a whole while they were a part? Or to seize without compensation every piece of federal property they could get their hands on, which could be said to be owned by all the states? Where does the Constitution give them that right?

An interesting debate to be sure. And I suppose that once we join any organization, we are never allowed to leave? The same questions can be asked of individuals across-the-board. Does that mean I have to forever attend church where I was raised?

The federal government only "owns" land where it has purchased land. Once it sells that land to individuals, it no longer owns it. I would agree that some device for compensation for remaining federally-owned land (ie. Ft. Sumpter) should have been made, but I disagree that the Southern states would be forevermore tied to federal debt or federal treaties.

Beanie referenced the Declaration of Independence. Your link goes to the Constitution.

It looks like a lower-case "united States" for the D of I, and an upper-case "United States" for the Constitution.

Could ideas of the relationship between states have changed in the interim?