On the thirteenth of March, Mr. Dickerson, from the committee on manufactures, reported a bill, framed in accordance with the suggestions of Mr. Clay’s resolution. This was opposed, on the ground that it did not embrace the whole subject of the tariff, because the duties on articles which were protected, were not reduced. Upon this bill a sharp debate followed, which resulted in its being laid upon the table. After being amended, and variously altered, it passed both houses, and became a law in July, 1832.
This bill preserved all the essential features and characteristics of the protective system unimpaired; too much, indeed, to please the south. Violently opposed to any measures of protection which made the slightest encroachment upon their sectional interests, they regarded the provisions of this bill with the most bitter hatred. The leaven of nullification, which was rapidly spreading itself at the south, gloated over these, and derived new strength to go forth and disseminate its invalidating dogmas. Its aspect grew more and more menacing every day, until, at last, indubitable evidences of an organized opposition to this bill began to appear. In this, South Carolina took the lead. The legislature of that state ratified an ordinance, passed by a state convention at Columbus, in November, 1832, declaring the tariff acts unconstitutional, and utterly null and void. The most decided determination was expressed, to disregard them, and not a few were found insisting upon the right to do so. Measures were devised to resist their enforcement, and munitions of war procured, and warlike preparations made; the other southern states were invited to join her; reports were put in circulation, that Great Britain was about to become her fast and firm ally; and the lovers of liberty began to tremble for the result. The anti-republicans began to chuckle over the fancied prospect, that their predictions were about to be verified――that our liberties, our institutions, and our union, were about to be overwhelmed in utter destruction, by the all-devouring jaws of civil war. President Jackson promptly issued his proclamation, denouncing the doctrines of nullification, and declared that the entire military force of the United States, if necessary, should be employed to put down all attempts to oppose or resist any enactment of the general government. He remonstrated with the people of South Carolina, and urged them to submit to the laws of the United States. His wishes, however, were not heeded. The governor (Mr. Hayne) immediately issued a counter proclamation, setting forth the arbitrary measures which the federal executive sought to subject them to, and counselling them to resist these, even by force of arms, if necessary. The danger that impended increased every hour, notwithstanding the bold and decided stand, which the president took by the side of the laws of the union. In this respect his conduct is entitled to all praise. But it was not occasioned by any good or friendly feeling towards the protective system, nor by any diminution of his hostility towards this. He gave increasing evidence of his willingness to contribute to its destruction, by yielding to the rebellious state all she desired, in abandoning the principle of protection. This had been distinctly avowed, in the report of the secretary of the treasury, recommending the reduction of duties to a revenue standard, and on the twenty-seventh of December, Mr. Verplanck, from the committee on ‘ways and means,’ reported a bill which, in accordance with the recommendation of the secretary’s report, proposed to reduce the duties on imported goods, to an average of about fifteen per cent. upon the foreign valuation. This bill was designed to take immediate effect, and to make a further reduction of duties, on all protected articles, in March, 1834. Thus the administration came over to the ground which the nullifiers desired it to occupy. After the bill had been discussed about a week, the president transmitted a message to congress, together with the abrogating enactments of South Carolina, and recommended the course he deemed proper to be pursued in relation to them. A bill to enforce the collection of the revenue, was brought before the senate a few days subsequent, directing coercive measures to be employed, in case of resistance. Matters seemed fast coming to extremities. The disorganizers, though in a state of readiness, took no decisive steps, but seemed to be looking for an adjustment of the subject occasioning their disquietude, in a way to suit their peculiar views. But the prospect that this would be accomplished, grew every day fainter.