Jackson on nullification

Nullification, the president told the people of South Carolina, was “in direct violation of their duty as citizens of the United States” and “subversive of its Constitution.” In Jackson’s straightforward logic, nullification was tantamount to secession. The president must execute the law; resistance to such execution would have to be forcible. . . . “Do not be deceived by names. Disunion by armed force is treason.”

–Daniel Walker Howe, What Hath God Wrought? at 405. Tell me, who’s our state capital named after? I forget.

… Jackson said he would hang the first South Carolinian to shed “one drop of blood … in defiance of the laws of the United States.” The S.C. governor, Robert Hayne, expressed doubt that Jackson would “really hang anybody.” Thomas Hart Benton replied, “Few people could have believed that he would hang Arbuthnot and shoot Ambrister . . . I tell you, Hayne, when Jackson begins to talk about hanging, they can begin to look out for ropes!” (Howe at 406.)

… Look for upcoming legislation to change the name of the state capital. Barbour? Bilbo? Palin? No, wait, it’s obvious: Reagan, Mississippi!

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3 thoughts on “Jackson on nullification

  1. Just finished that book last week a very good read. I think the Gov. won’t change the name, he would really prefer to just move the capital to Brandon fewer Democrats over there.

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