TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
Inconsistencies in spelling have been retained from the original.
The cover of this book was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
STRICTURES
ON
NULLIFICATION.
STRICTURES
ON
NULLIFICATION.
FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW.
BOSTON:
STIMPSON AND CLAPP, 72 WASHINGTON STREET.
J. E. Hinckley & Co., Printers, 14 Water Street.
1832.
STRICTURES
ON NULLIFICATION.
The discontents on the subject of the Tariff, which have so long existedin several of the Southern States, and particularly in South Carolina,have at length reached a crisis. As soon as it was ascertained that theparty in favor of Nullification had prevailed in that State at the lateelections, the Governor immediately summoned an extraordinary session ofthe Legislature, which was held accordingly at Columbia, on the 22d ofOctober. In calling together the new Legislature before the end of thecurrent political year, as generally understood, the Governor exercisedan authority, which may perhaps be fairly considered as doubtful,although it appears to have been sanctioned by the highest judicialauthority of the State. This, however, is a secondary question, uponwhich we shall not enlarge. In the message which he transmitted to theLegislature at the opening of the extraordinary session, the Governorrecommended to them to pass an act authorizing the meeting of aConvention, to deliberate upon the measures to be taken by the State forthe purpose of obtaining relief from the operation of the Tariff. Theact was accordingly passed by large majorities,—two thirds beingrequired by the Constitution;—and the Convention, which was chosen inpursuance of it, opened its session at Columbia on the 19th ofNovember.
[Pg 4]This body proceeded at once and without much discussion to adopt whatthey call an 'Ordinance to nullify' the Revenue laws of the country,which we propose to copy in the course of our remarks. Having publishedthis act, with an accompanying exposition of their motives in passingit, and addresses to the people of the United States and of SouthCarolina, the Convention adjourned without delay, leaving it in chargeto a committee appointed for that purpose to summon another meeting, ifit should appear expedient. The composition of the Ordinance isattributed to Chancellor Harper; that of the exposition accompanying itto Mr. McDuffie; and that of the addresses to the people of the UnitedStates and of South Carolina respectively to General Hayne and Mr.Turnbull. The Legislature of the State have since assembled, and,agreeably to the tenor of the Ordinance, will doubtless pass such lawsas may be thought necessary for carrying the measure into full effect.
These proceedings constitute a very serious crisis,—the most seriousthat has occurred in the history of our country since the establishmentof the Government, with the exception of that which attended the closeof the last war wit