The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-21

II
poned by Mr. Ciay's Compromise Tar
fR Measure
Raleigh, n. c., March IL.
Editors Messenger:
There is an episode in the history Of
our country which it is desirable that
the younger generation should be con-
versant with, and I feel assured you
will give space to whatever win throw
light on the subject.
Because of the high tariff Of 1928,
South Carolina resorted TO notification,
and the following relates to that mat
ter.
At the presidential election of 1924,
while Jackson failed of election, and
the house Of representatives chose John
Quincy Adams over him, yet Calhoun
was elected by the people 10 the vice
presidency. ---.
In 1928, Jackson was elected presi-
dent, and Calhoun was again elected
vice president. In the winter Of 1S29-3O
public meetings were held in South
Carolina declaring that South Carolina
ought not to submit TO the oppressive
tariff exactions; that such acts of con-
gress We're unconstitutional and that
the state should declare them void.
Calhoun presiding over the senate,
Hayne debated with Webster in Janua-
ry 1880 the question of notification,
(and by the way 1 have heard that
Governor James Iredell, of this state,
who was then a United States senator,
ha6 to toi oh
but was detained at home by illness in
his family, and that Hayne was SUBJ
stituted for him at the last moment.)
In 1881, Jackson, because of some per-
sonal matters, became estranged from
Calhoun, notwithstanding Calhoun
sought to prevent it. At the election Of
1882, South Carolina would not vote
for either Jackson or Clay, the two
candidates for the presidency, but
threw her electoral vote away. Jack
son won, and the house Of representa-
tiveS then elected was by a large ma
jority opposed to the tariff act of 1928.
It's fate was sealed. Nevertheless South
Carolina in November 1882, two weeks
after the election passed an ordinance
to nullify the tariff act and declaring
that it should not be enforced in that
state after February 1S33-a date be-
fore the new congress could meet, and
further declaring that if it was at
tempted to be enforced after that date,
the fact of such attempt should termi-
nate the connection of South Carolina
with the union, and she would be a
separate government in no wise con-
nected with the union.
In other words, she passed an ordi-
nance of secession, to- take effect on
the happening Of a possible evs.at. As
the action of South Carolina at that
time is commonly referred to merely
as "nullif1cation,'' it may be that her
proceeding, which was indeed ''seces-
sion," is misunderstood by some.
President Jackson in December 1882,
issued his counter proclamation, which
is one of the strongest and most not
able state papers ever emanating from
any source. Clay intimated that Jack
son signed it, but it has the tough
ness of "Old Hickory throughout
And then at Jackson's instance "the
force bill'' was passed, providing for
the transfer of certain criminal cases
from the state to federal courts
which in our day has served to protect
revenue raiders" from punishment in
the state courts. But still South Carroll
ma maintained her position in the
main. I say in the main, because it
apparently was her purpose to post
pone the day that Modification" was
to be effective beyond the fateful Feb
clusion: Mr.. Clay who was the Father
of the Protective system brought for
ward a compromise tariff bill which
had been submitted to Mr. Calhoun
and had received his assent and the
assent Of the South Carolinians
In advocating this compromise bill
on February 25, 1888, Mr.. Clay said:
"He who regards the present ques-
tion as being limited to South Caro-
lima alone takes a view of it much toe
contracted. There is a sympathy OF
feeling and interest throughout the
whole south. Other southern states
may differ from that as to the remedy
TO be now used, but all agree (great as
in my humble judgment is their er-
ror) in the substantial justice of the
cause. Can there be a doubt that those
who think in common, will sooner OF
later act in concert? Events are on the
wing and Fastening this cooperation
Since the commencement of this ses.
sion the most powerful southern mem.
Der Of the union has taken a measure
which cannot fail to lead to importan
consequences. She has deputed one
Of her most distinguished citizen:
to request a suspension of meas
ures of resistance. No attentive
observer can doubt that the sus
pension will be made Well, sir
suppose it takes place, and congress:
should fail at the next session to afford
the redress which will be solicited
what course would every principle OF
honor and every consideration of the
interest of Virginia, as she understood
them, exact from her?
would she not make common caus,
with South Carolina? And if she did
would not the entire south become par
ties to the contest? The rest of the un
ion might put down the south and re
duce it to submission; but to sa,
nothing of the uncertainty and haZ
ards of all wars, is that a desirabl.
state of things? Ought it not to b,
avoided if it can be honorable pre-
vented?"
! AS a consequence of Mr. Clay's ap
peal the compromise tariff bill passed
and it being satisfactory to South Car
olina, the notification and secession
movement Of 1928 passed away.
S. a. a.
AS the season of the year wher
pneumonia. la grippe, sore throa
coughs. cold. catarrh. bronchitis anC
lung troubles are to be guarded
against, nothing 'as fine substitute,