HISTORY O F FORMER "Our Federal Union-it must be preservel" Under the peculiar circumstances of the case-the feeling that had found vent in South Carolina and elsewhere in that section, and the excited state of the public mind gen-, erally, this simple sentiment was received as a proclamation from the President to announce a plot against the Union. The next toast was by Mr. Calhoun, and it did not by any means allay the suspicions which existed in every bosom. It was this: was called upon for a volunteer, and gave Meetings took place throughout the State one which has since become historical. close upon the Presidential election. The Legislature came together amid much excitement. One of its first acts was to appoint a Committee to report on the relations of the State with the General Government. It reported that the Federal Constitution was a compact originally formed, not between the people of the different States as distinct and independent sovereignties; that when any violation of the spirit of that compact took place, it was not only the right of the people, but of the State Legislature, to remonstrate against it; that the Federal Government was responsible to the State Legislatures whenever it assumed powers not conferred; that notwithstanding a tribunal was appointed under the Constitution to decide controversies where the United States. was a party, there were some questions that must occur between the Government and the State which it would be unsafe to submit to any judicial tribunal; and finally, that there was a peculiar propriety in a State Legislature's undertaking to decide for itself, inasmuch as the Constitution had not provided any remedy. "The Union, next to our liberty, the most dear: may we all remember that it can only be preserved by respecting the rights of the States, and distributing equally the benefit and burthen of the Union." In the language of Thomas H. Benton, who was present, "this toast touched all the tender parts of the new question-liberty before Union-only to be preserved. State rights, inequality of burthens and benefits. These phrases connecting themselves with Mr. Hayne's speech, and with proceedings and publications in South Carolina, unveiled nullification as a new and distinct doctrine in the United States, and the existence of a new party in the field.” From that moment the issue was. directly presented in the shape of "our rights or dis union," and the State Rights party, in the extreme Southern States, became very powerful, particularly in South Carolina-the home of both Mr. Hayne and John C. Calhoun, where their influence was remarkably strong. To meet the approaching storm, and avert the calamity of an open rupture with South Carolina, a modification was made of the offensive act; but, the duties were not abated enough. The fact that the movement for nullification and secession had frightened Congress into some concessions made the State Rights men more strenuous than ever. It gave them the prestige which comes from victory. Had not Mr. Calhoun been elected Vice-President of the United States? Had not Congress made concessions and betrayed a nervous apprehension of South Carolina threats? The leaders of the nullification movement deemed the beginning auspicious for a glorious ending. A convention of delegates was thereupon ordered to assemble on the 19th of November, to act for the State, in the crisis. Meanwhile the Virginia Legislature, also, by a vote of 154 to 68, gave her assent to the principle of nullification. North Carolina declared against it and held out firmly for the Constitution and the laws. Alabama and Georgia endorsed South Carolina heartily, and their course led the country to feel that, in event of South Carolina's secession, they would follow her lead. Government had just succeeded at enormous cost, in extinguishing the Indian titles to lands in these States, and they in return, were ready to cast off the Government. The Convention of Delegates assembled on the 19th of November. Governor Hayne (late United States Senator) was made its President. The Tariff acts of 1828 and 1832 were declared null and void and not binding upon the citizens of the States. It was further declared that if the United States should attempt to enforce them by naval or military force, the Union was to be dissolved, and a convention called to form a government for of the harbor at the cannon's mouth, if necessary. South Carolina. It further provided that no appeal should be permitted to the Supreme Court of the United States in any question At the opening of Congress, Jackson sent concerning the validity of the ordinance, or in his Message, setting forth the facts of the of the laws passed to give effect thereto. case. His policy was one of peaceful settleThis threw the die for the movements to fol- ment, if possible; but, if Congress did not low. The Legislature immediately took all repeal or modify the law, he was ready to steps necessary to carry out the programme force South Carolina into submission. Nulof the Convention—the legislators being con-lification he termed revolution, which he vened for the especial purpose, by call of the was bound to suppress. The entire country, Governor. The acts adopted embraced one save the States of Virginia, South Carolina, authorizing the Governor to call on the mili- Georgia and Alabama, approved "Old Hicktia to resist any attempt on the part of the ory's" policy, and stood ready to sustain him. Government of the United States to enforce Even in these apparently disloyal States there the revenue laws. Ten thousand stand of was a very powerful Union party, which rearms and the requisite quantity of military pudiated the baleful idea of nullification, and munitions were ordered to be purchased, and which, eventually, succeeded in making itself any acts done in pursuance of that law were heard and felt. to be held layful in the State courts. This was followed by the resignation of the Vice-President of the United States by Mr. Calhoun, and he proceeded to Washington to resume his seat in the Senate. The President, Andrew Jackson, just re-elected, felt extremely indignant toward Calhoun, and, it is now known, had made up his mind to arrest him, on his arrival at the Capital, to try him for high treason, and to hang him if convicted. He was persuaded from this extreme and hazardous course by Mr. Webster and others; and, on the 10th, issued his famous proclamation against the nullifiers, in which was forcibly and plainly stated the nature of the American Government; the pretended right of sovereignty was denied; the supremacy of the Federal Government declared, and an exhortation made to the citizens of South Carolina not to persist in a course which must bring upon their State the force of the Confederacy, and expose the Union to the hazard of dissolution. At the same time all the disposable military force was ordered to assemble at Charleston, and a sloop-of-war was sent to that port to protect the Federal officers, if necessary, in the discharge of their duty. General Scott, then as at a later day, the watchful Guardian of the public weal, was given charge of the military movements, under special instructions from Lewis Cass, Secretary of War. Ere the South Carolinians were aware Scott was in Fort Moultrie, with a strong force, prepared to collect the revenues Her The determined front of the governmentthe argument read in General Scott's face— the silent admonition of Moultrie's guns, induced a material abatement of the nullifiers' zeal. South Carolina, it became painfully evident to the leaders of the conspiracy, could not get out of the Union if she would. revenues were collected by the Collector, at the regular Custom House, and, in all other respects, the state of affairs was not changed. The Convention, after its most extraordinary display of arrogance and opposition, resolved to wait until Feb. 1st before ordering hostile action! On the 21st of January, Mr. Wilkins, of Pennsylvania, introduced in the United States Senate his bill, to empower the President to crush out all opposition to the collection of the revenue by suminoning the military power of the Confederacy. Pending the discussion which followed, Calhoun delivered his argument on the Constitution. It was a most powerful and subtle plea, claiming the rights of states as states and independencies, and assuming nullification to be the bulwark of their liberties. The speech was published and circulated extensively throughout the country, to be quickly followed by Webster's truly magnificent reply, which, in fact, made the Government and the Constitution stronger for the assault of the Carolina logician. The bill of Mr. Wilkins passed by an almost unanimous vote-so united was the sentiment on the question of sustaining the laws and pro HISTORY OF FORMER CONSPIRACIES. 19 tecting the Constitution from infringement | lature steadily refused to substitute a more upon its powers. John Tyler, of Virginia, modern and republican constitution for the was among those who voted against the bill. old, but simple and strong, government of This act was followed by one of concession the Charter. Thomas W. Dorr, an attorney and compromise, introduced by Henry Clay, at law, of Providence, and a member of the proposing a graduated scale, by which the Assembly, sought to introduce a reform; but, duties were to be abated annually. This bill for a long time labored in vain. When allowed Government the needed benefits of brought to a vote his proposition for a change the revenue, only detracting from the tariff obtained only seven out of seventy votes. one-tenth each year upon all articles tariffed Not to be thwarted, Dorr then appealed to over twenty per cent., thus gradually reduc- the people, agitating the question of change ing the duties until they should strike the and reform in several mass conventions, held free list, in December, 1841. This act passed in 1840-41. When the movement had gained both Houses by good majorities, and was sufficient strength, a Convention of Delegates signed March 2d, 1833. In the meantime, was called, which prepared a State ConstituFebruary 1st had come, and the Nullifiers tion to be submitted to a regular vote of the did not drive General Scott out of Fort Moul- people. It obtained 14,000 votes-said to trie, nor cease to pay their duties both to the have been a clear majority of the regular citiCollector and to the Government. Accepting zens of the State. The Chartists pronounced the "highly satisfactory settlement" of the the entire proceedings seditious and declared difficulty, it only remained for Governor the vote, illegal as it was, to have been largeHayne to summon the Convention to undo ly fraudulent. Dorr decided otherwise; and, what they had done. The delegates came with true Puritan pertinacity, proclaimed the together March 11th, placed South Carolina Constitution to be the law of the State. He back in the Union, declared the great princi- ordered, accordingly, an election to be held ple of State Sovereignty established, and, ad- for State officers. journed. This conspiracy left behind it the seeds of disunion. The idea of a State independence, of a power to control circumstances to their own liking, of a disseverance of all bonds with the "hated North," was left to germinate and grow, to burst out again, when a weak Executive should afford the opportunity, into treason and revolution. DORR'S REBELLION, 1842. This merely local "rebellion" deserves mention rather from its peculiar nature than from its importance. Its circumstances were as follows: Down to 1833 the government of Rhode Island was based upon the original charter of settlement, granted by Charles II. in 1663, by which the elective franchise was restricted to persons possessed of real estate to a specified amount, and to their eldest sons. This disfranchised fully two-thirds of the actual citizens. Yet, so prevalent were old prejudices, so powerful old associations, that the Legis Dorr was chosen Governor, and a Legislature, composed exclusively of his supporters, was elected, to meet at Providence on the first Monday of May, 1842. The Charter party also held an election for State officers, polling 5,700 votes, while the Suffrage party claimed to have polled 7,300. On the 3d of May, Dorr's Government attempted to organize at Providence and seize the reins of power. They were resisted by the legal State Government, which assembled at Newport on the same day, and at the head of which was Gov. Samuel W. King. Both sides appealed to arms. The excitement was intense, and the people flocked to the respective standards in large numbers from various New England States. Gov. King proclaimed the State under martial law, called out the militia and asked and obtained the aid of the United States to suppress the treason. On the 18th of May a portion of the Suffrage party assembled at Providence under arms and attempted to seize the arsenal, but were dispersed by Gov. King and a military force. They assembled again, to the number of several hundred, May 25, 1842, at Chepachet Hill, appre ten miles from Providence, but again dispers- years. It ed on the approach of the State forces. Three the peace days afterwards the affair was over. Dorr been conce fled from the State, and took refuge first in country fle Connecticut, and then in New Hampshire. A armed ban reward of $4,000 being offered for his authority hension by Rhode Island, he voluntarily re- slavery set turned home, was tried, convicted of high treason, and sentenced to imprisonment for life. In 1847 he was pardoned, and, in 1852, the Legislature restored him to his civil rights, and ordered the record of his sentence to be expunged. He lived to see a liberal constitution and his party in possession of the reins of government. Rhode Island is now as democratic as any of her sister States. She boasts a population nearly as great as that of Texas, and twice that of Florida, while, in intelligence and industrial enterprise, she is vastly before either of the States named. In the hour of the General Government's peril she has proven a tower of loyalty, and the names of her sons occupy a favored place in the record of the struggle against revolution and national disintegration. record of bloodshed armed atte soil unfitte tlers, arme plies to su and, event the action Missouri i What w unfortunat tion, was, ed, but th called into issues of o tension of THE KANSAS-NEBRASKA TROUBLES. The years 1854-58 are "representative" in the history of the country. On the 4th of January, 1854, Mr. Douglas, as chairman of the Committee on Territories, in the United States Senate, introduced the bill for the organization of the territories of Nebraska and Kansas. It provided as follows: "When admitted as a State, the said territory, or any portion of the same, shall be received into the Union, with or without Slavery, as their constitution may prescribe at the time of their admission." Thus abrogating the venerable and respected Missouri Compromise Act, of 1820, while it further established the principle of "Squatter Sovereignty," which gave to the people of a territory the right to make their own laws denying to Congress the power to legislate laws for its territories. That act became a law, after one of the most exciting sessions of Congress known for territories. life, and, e it in the N its candid needed bu made him candidate office by h Had it no bill the R had existe Slave terri ries,"-"n gress from The ma 1. In th State. 2. In t Party. 3. In th dent. 4. In tl against hi 5. most fatal acts for rom the South care blican party sprang nission of Kansas as a Free rmation of the Republica ection of a Republican Presi HISTORICAL SUMMARY FROM NOVEMBER 6, 1860, TO DECEMBER 27, 1860. Nov. 6.-Presidential Election day. Four candi- | arsenals, &c., in the Southern States dates before the people, viz.: Abraham Lincoln, Republican, of Illinois; Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat, of Illinois; John C. Breckenridge, Democrat, of Kentucky; John Bell, Unionist, of Tennessee. Seventeen States out of thirty-three States cast their majority vote for Lincoln electors; eleven States for Breckenridge: three for Bell; while Douglas received the vote of Missouri, and three-sevenths of the vote of New-Jersey. Nov. 10.-Bill introduced in South Carolina Legis- -United States Senator, James Chesnut, Jr., from --South Carolina Legislature orders an election of -Georgia Legislature refuses to order an election of United States Senator, to succeed Alfred Iverson. at Fort Monroe, Va., eight compar at Fayetteville arsenal, N. C., one tillery; at Fort Moultrie, S. C., tv artillery; at Augusta, Ga., one comp Key West, Florida, one company o rancas barracks, near Pensacola, Fl of artillery; Baton Rouge, La., one lery; total, about 800 men. There United States marines at Norfolk and Nov. 17.-Grand gathering of citi ton, S. C., " to inaugurate the re pole, 100 feet high, raised, and the P furled. Hotels, private residences, a badges worn by men, women and ch ings all display the flag. Great rejoi Nov. 18.-General depreciation of state stocks, railway shares, &c. state in the money market. Genera payment of debts due the North by chants, looked for in New York and -Immense excitement throughout the South. -Georgia Legislature appropriate -South Carolina Legislature authorizes banks to Nov. 11.-United States Senator Hammond, of Nov. 13. South Carolina Legislature adjourns No. 14.-Immense torch-light procession in Columbia, S. C., in honor of the action of the Legislature of 8. C. -Florida, by her Governor, telegraphed to the Governor of South Carolina, "Florida is with the gallant Palmetto flag." Nov. 15.-Senator Toombs makes a "powerful se- -Governor Moore, of Alabama, announces his in- He Nov. 19.-Gov. Moore, of Louisia the South. Heavy orders received a Nov. 22. The Washington and Phi suspend specie payment. The bank and Richmond suspended specie pay previously. Notes of all Southern ba discount in New York. The New solve to consolidate funds and afford ral line of discount. Nov. 23.-Suspension of North Car galised by the Legislature of that Sta bank suspensions announced in Pittsh ton, N. J., Charleston, S. C. The Bo solve to adopt the course of the banks President is understood to take s -Governor Letcher, of Virginia, calls an extra ses- favor a “peaceful separation " |