dent Jackson announced that the public debt would soon be entirely discharged, and recommended the reduction of the duties in order to relieve the people from unnecessary taxation.

So apparent was the necessity for a retrograde movement, that all appeared to concur in it, and at this session of Congress the act of 1832 was passed. This bill was declared to be the ultimatum of the friends of protection, and was intended by the immediate friends. of the administration, and by the opposition headed by Mr. Clay, as a final adjustment of the duties. The reduction made by the bill was rather imaginary than real. The duties upon the protected articles were aug mented, while those on the unprotected articles were alone diminished. So far, therefore, from abandoning. the principle of protection, it was presented in this bill in the most odious form. Mr. Calhoun and his friends would have been content with the present reduction, if a prospective reduction to the revenue standard had been contemplated; but instead of this, it was declared that the bill should be the permanent system of revenue after the extinguishment of the debt.

Immediately after the passage of the bill, the representatives from the state of South Carolina who thought with Mr. Calhoun, that nullification was the rightful remedy, issued an address to the people of the state, advising them that the protecting system might now be regarded as the settled policy of the country, and that all hope of relief from Congress was irrecoverably gone.

The people of South Carolina were not unanimous in sustaining the positions assumed by Mr. Calhoun. A small party calling themselves Unionists, embracing

several popular and influential men, among whom were ex-Governor Manning, Judge Smith, Colonel Drayton, Mr. Pettigru, and Mr. Poinsett, had been formed, and, aided by the whole weight of the influence and patronage of the federal executive, they entered with zeal into the canvass preceding the annual election. A fierce and violent contest ensued, which terminated in the choice of a large majority of nullifiers to the state legislature. Mr. Calhoun was not, in the meanwhile, an idle or indifferent spectator. He did not withhold his counsel or advice, and no one individual contributed more powerfully than he to this result.

It had all along been conceded by the Unionists that the State Rights party were in the ascendant, and the great struggle at the election was to prevent the latter from obtaining the constitutional majority in the legislature. Without a majority of two thirds a convention could not be called, and this was the only mode in which, as the nullifiers admitted, the people of the state could declare an act of the United States unconstitutional and void. The State Rights party, however, returned more than the constitutional number to both houses. The legislature convened on the 22d of October, 1832, and the first business of the session was the passage of a law authorizing the election of delegates to a State Convention, to meet at Columbia on the 19th day of November following.

Delegates were accordingly chosen, and the Convention was held at the appointed time. On the 24th instant they adopted the celebrated Ordinance of Nullification, declaring the acts of 1828 and 1832 absolutely null and void, within the state of South Carolina; pro

viding that no appeal should be permitted to the Supreme Court of the United States upon any question concerning the validity of the ordinance, or of the laws that might be passed to give effect thereto; prohibiting the authorities of the state, or of the general government, from enforcing the payment of duties within the state, from and after the 1st day of February, 1833; and declaring that any attempt to enforce the revenue laws, otherwise than through the civil tribunals, would be inconsistent with the longer continuance of South Carolina in the Union, and the people of the state would then proceed forthwith to the formation of an independent government.* This ordinance was accompanied by two addresses-one to the people of South Carolina, and the other to the people of the other states in the Union-setting forth the motives which had prompted the adoption of the ordinance, and the principles upon which it was founded. These proceedings were had with the knowledge, and in part under the advice, of Mr. Calhoun; and, consequently, they met with his approbation. The Convention then adjourned to meet again in March, after the adjournment of Congress.

The South Carolina legislature being still in session, the necessary laws to give effect to the ordinance were passed; and as it had been threatened by the Unionists that the President would direct the collection of the revenue by force of arms, "the state placed itself in an attitude of military preparation for the defence of its position; organized and armed its own physical force; and succeeded in arousing so determined and excited a state of feeling in its citizens, that we think there can Niles' Register, vol. xliii. p. 277.

be no doubt that it would have maintained its position to the last extremity, a position, manifestly, exceedingly difficult to be overcome, if thus maintained, by any physical power which could have been brought against it."*

The proceedings in South Carolina were followed by the proclamation of the President declaring the ordinance of the State Convention subversive of the federal constitution, and his intention to enforce the laws at whatever hazard, and warning the people of the state against obedience to the ordinance as involving the crime of treason against the United States. Meanwhile, General Hayne, the able and accomplished senator in Congress from South Carolina, had been elected governor of the state by the legislature and had entered upon the duties of his office; and in reply to the President's proclamation, he issued a counter proclamation defending the position assumed by the state, and calling out twelve thousand volunteers.

By the election of General Hayne as governor, a vacancy had been produced in the representation of the state in Congress. It was important at this particular juncture that the state should be represented in the federal councils by the ablest of her sons, and all eyes were now instinctively turned toward Mr. Calhoun. Prior to the adjournment of the legislature, therefore, in December, 1832, he was chosen as the successor of Mr. Hayne in the senate of the United States. Mr. Calhoun was prompt to regard the call of his native state; her claims were paramount; and he readily consented to become her champion and defender.

* Democratic Review, April, 1838.

CHAPTER IX.

Journey to Washington-Takes his Seat in the Senate-Special Message of the President-Mr. Calhoun's Resolutions-The Force Bill-Speech against it-The Debate-Argument of Mr. Webster-Reply of Mr. Calhoun Character of this Effort-Passage of the Compromise ActPeaceful Termination of the Controversy.

THE Senate of the Union was the theatre of Mr. Calhoun's proudest triumphs-the great field of his usefulness and fame. His journey to Washington was like that of Luther to attend the diet at Worms. Out of South Carolina public opinion was certainly against him, and it was only here and there he found a good Frondsberg to whisper in his ear, "If you are sincere, and sure of your cause, go on in God's name, and fear nothing; God will not forsake you!"

It was queried by many whether he would not be apprehended, and some stoutly asserted that he would be arrested ere he reached Washington. He was called the head and front of the nullification cause, but he esteemed it an honor to be thus designated. He was stigmatized an arch-traitor and denounced as a disunionist, yet he pursued his way unmoved by clan.or or denunciation. It was said that he aimed to overthrow the Constitution, and that his presence at the capitol would endanger the peace and security of the Union. But he had no such end in view. His errand