Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-19
SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1882.


SOUTH CAROLINA IN 1892
Probably the best key to the hopes, inten
tions and purposes OF South Carolina, will b.
found in the history of her action twenty -eigh
years ago. 1t is full of striking parallels.
Congress passed Tariff which the South
deemed Objectionable. While it was pending
intense excitement prevailed in the Southern
States. Public meetings threatened forciblt
resistance. Senators and Congressman pre-
dictcd il. Governors and Legislatures en-
couraged it. The Virginia Legislature asser
ted the principle of nullifcation. The Geor
gia Legislature denied the authority Of decis.
ions of the Supreme Court. South Carolina
stood ready to lead the way in a collision with
Federal power. When the news reached Char
lesion that the bill had actually passed, the
Governor summoned the Legislature to the
Capital. It met on the 22d of October. An
act was Immediately proposed and passed,
authorizing Convention on the 18th of No
vember, "to consider the character and extent
OF the General Government The passage
of this act was hailed by the firing of cannon,
and music from band stationed at the doors
Of the Capitol. The Convention assembled on
the 10th. On the oath it adopted an Ordinance
declaring the Tariff Act null and void making
1T unlawful for the authorities, either National
or State, TO enforce the payment of the du-
ties, epjoining on the Legislature to pass laws
giving effect to the Ordinance, and forbidding
any appeal to the Supreme Court of the United
States. The Ordinance further declared, that
if any act was passed by Congress to authorize
the employment of force against South Caro-
lima, such act would be null and void, and
from the time OF its passage the State would
consider itself absolved from further obliga-
tions to the Union, and proceed to organize a
separate Government. This Ordinance was
to take effect Feb. lst 1888. In reply to this
Ordinance President Jackson issued his cele-
brated Proclamation, combating the doctrine
OF Notification in a masterly argument, and
declaring his firm determination to enforce
the Laws at whatever hazard. The Proclama-
ton was met with anathemas in South Caroli-
ma. 1t was denounced as sea Declaration of
War by Andrew Jackson against the State of
South Carolina" the "edict of a DICTATOR
Tho people we're exhorted to stake up arms''
as the 'sonly course which honor and duty pre-.
scribed." In the Legislature members styled
it 'the impotent missile of despicable malig-
nity." They declared they "hurled back scorn
and dcfauce," that ssthe country and the
world should know how perfectly we despise
and defy him. that before the doctrines of
the Proclamation would be carried out .sthe
bones OF many an enemy should whiten the
shores aid the carcasses of many a caitff
blacken the air of Carolina The Governor
issued a proclamation denouncing that of the
Aesiueut. lnnmeQlabeiy pass
ed laws for carrying the Ordinance into
effect, prohibiting the collection of revenue,
and placing the militia at the command of the
Governor. Orders were issued for increasing
the military force of the State. The Cover
nor was authorized to accept the services of
volunteers, many companies of whom had al
ready organized under the name of ssMinute
Men," This action of South Carolina was
communicated to Congress by the President,
and bill was proposed empowering him to en-
ploy the land and naval forces Of the Union to
enforce the collection Of the revenue, if resis-
tance should be offered. 1t gave rise to warm
debate, and was not passed until a month af- |
terwards. A number of the Southern Sena- |
tors, on its final passage, withdrew from the |
Senate Chamber. However. they came back
again IN few days. But while these prepa-
rations were being made for conflict, meas
ures were also in progress to avert it. Vir:
gina offered to mediate. Resolutions were
passed in her Legislature asking South Caro-
ma 10 suspend the operation Of her Nullify-
ing Ordinance until the close of the first ses-
SION OF the next Congress; and also asking
congress to modify the Tariff. Benjamin
watkins Leigh was appointed Commissioner
10 lay these resolutions before South Carolina.
y Dill, IN accordance with their request, was
also introduced in Congress. This bill failed
Wpass. But Mr.. Clay introduced Compro-
mise Tariff Bill, which gave rise to considera-
oe Debate, Messrs. Webster, Dallas, Forsyth
ano wright, opposing il; because it abolished
Spechc duties; and Messrsr. Calhoun, Ewing,
layton, Freinghuysen, Mangum and Bibb;
supporting it as q measure of pacification. It
Vas Vas nnaliy passed, February 2e, 1885, though
~. Nv. until afier South Carolina had suspended
.'a .es Nulifcation Ordinance; for che media
nOn Of Virginia had the remarkable effect Of
a,SI;esOmplishng its object even before her Com
GHn Gn''sioner arrived to. deliver the Resolutions.
~ uosefnor Hayne, Of South Carolina, said that
p !. soon as it was known that Virginia had ta-
Ma. Mea up the subject in friendly spirit, and
nra ass oli modifying the Tariff was before Con-
- ,ss, "if was determined by common consent
Il, aspena the operation of the Ordinance un-
S..aer @ier the adjoprpment of Congress- The
sasgs OF the Compromise Rill, though not
tUselner acceptable, was gladly accepted as
frn.nlsan,lng an ostepsibIe reason for retreating
bsd U% . tne unenyiable position South Carolina
va, ashiy assumed. The State Convention
The Neassembied on the llth of March, and
So,., uliifying Ordinance was finally repealed
~ 'a carolina, nevertheless claimed the glory
,ss triumph. Her people -wers congratula-
and VI having succeeded in defying Congress
tryi,pp preventing the abroad usurpation" Of :
'"s ~ "coerce Sovereign State" The Z