Believe me, no ne respects the signers more. But upon signing, the only ones inherently engaged in anything where the signers and then only because the were in violation of British Law. The "Colonies" were not bound nor were all of the Tories---
what bound the supporters was their actions and open revolt and again, they were bound more by British law not the Declaration. The Confederate States "Ordninces of Succession" likewise, were not binding and thus the actions of those states was still subject to United States Law
Why do we celebrate July 4th?