Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-08-17
Vigorous Measures Of President jackson

AS soon as the action of the Nullifi-
crs of South Carolina became known to
the inhexible hero and patriot who then
sat in the executive chair OF the nation,
he took the most vigorous measures to
crush them. lie issued proclamation
declaring the ordinance of the State Con-
vention reasonable, and subversive of
the Federal Constitution he announ-
ccd his determination to enforce the col
lection of the national revenues at all
hazards and he cautioned. the people
of the state of South Carolina against
the ruinous policy they were tempted
to adopt. This proclamation was an
swered by another from Mr.. Haync, at
that time Governor Of the State, in
which the policy Of Notification was
justified. At the same time he SUM-
moned twelve thousand volunteers to
take arms in opposition to the Federal
troops.
During the progress of these events,
Mr.. Calhoun had remained in South
Carolina, and had been the prime mover
in tho rebellion. In December, 1882,
he was chosen to succeed Mr.. Haynein in
the United States Senate, and to defend
the conduct of his native State in the
national legislature. At that moment,
General Jackson was undecided wheth-
er it was not his duty to arrest Mr..
Calhoun before he reached Washington
on a charge of treason and the general
impression was that such an event
would take place.
Beyond the limits of South Carolina,
Mr.. Calhoun was generally regarded
with distrust, sometimes with abhor-
renee, as being in heart traitor to the
Government and on his way to Wash
ington he was repeatedly assaulted with
the clamors Of the indi ignant people.
But he was at that time Vice President
Of the United States, and remained
such until he took his seat in the SEN
ate. That fact and other prudent con-
siderations, induced Jackson to refrain
from the extreme measures which he
had once contemplated. But it is
worthy of remark, that the old hero of
New Orleans afterward regretted his
lenity on this occasion, and continued
to do 80 until the day of his death.
Shortly after he took his seat in the
Senate Mr.. Calhoun introduce reso-
luton requesting the President of the
United States to lay before that body
the documents connected with the Null
lification ordinances, certified copies OF
which had been transmitted to him ~
Governor Hayne. Immediately and
before this request could be complied
with, General Jackson addressed a mes.
sage to the Senate, bearing date Janu-
ary 18th, 1888. in which he condemned
the conduct of South Carolina in refer.
ence to the question Of Modification.
This message, and all the documents
having reference to the matter, were
referred to the Committee on the Judi
ciary for consideration. Daniel Web
ster was prominent member Of this
committee, and exerted himself to pro-
cure the adoption of such . report ~
should effectually crush the scorpion
head of Nullifcation. Under his gui-
dance the committee reported the fa-
nous Force Bill, which invested the
President with additional powers in ref.
erence to the matter, and extended and
increased the jurisdiction OF the Courts
of the United States in cases arising
under the revenue laws. The acknowl-
edged purpose of this bill was to enable
aud encourage the President to put
down Notification by force of arms.