INTRODUCTION:
From 1819 to 1821, Congress was debating over the Missouri Compromise. The north opposed and the south favored. The excitement spread to the state Legislature and to the people. Many meetings were held.
Finally Henry Clay succeeded in getting Congress to pass the Missouri Compromise. This act admitted Missouri as a slave state.
Hayne had spoken against a protective tariff and for nullification and Daniel Webster felt called upon to reply so he made a great speech. His speech was considered by good judges the best ever delivered in Congress. He was probably the greatest orator of his time.
South Carolina refused to pay the tariff in 1832 and nullified the law of Congress. President Jackson hurried the army and navy to make her pay.
John Calhoun was for nullification. He said to save the South from the North, a state had a right to nullify a law of Congress.
The third act will be Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, speaking on the right of nullification.
Speaker Clay: Gentlemen, we have been debating on the right of a state to nullify. We must think of this matter in a calm manner. It is one of the most serious times of our country. Our Union is in danger. We have heard Mr. Hayne speak on Nullification; also Mr. Calhoun.
Member of Congress: Congress has no right to force another state to pay a tariff and we declare a state has a right to nullify.