Introductory material

Calhoun in the beginning a leader and advocate of national views in the House of Representatives—Sectional division of States on the question of slavery—Missouri compromise—Calhoun’s change of opinion—The nullification of South Carolina—Calhoun’s “inexorable logic” considered—The doctrine of nullification not asserted from time of the Kentucky resolves until revived by South Carolina—Jackson’s proclamation—His firmness—His experience in political matters as lawyer, legislator, and judge—Congress passed a force bill to collect duties—Act reducing duties also passed—Strong resolutions of legislatures of the Southern States against nullification—Supremacy of the government maintained by judges appointed by all the political parties in every case and over all the States—Judgments of State courts constantly reversed until the time of the civil war—It is Congress, not the court, that makes the laws—Judge Story—History after the threatened nullification of South Carolina—Legislation and decision of Supreme Court extending slavery—The South’s preparation for disruption of the Union—Virginia opposed the government without passing an ordinance of secession—Military academies of Southern States—The government stronger than Hamilton thought—The exceeding excellence of the Constitution—New vigor of South Carolina as a free State.