Fifth Avenue (New York, N.Y.); Streets -- New York (State) -- New York
We are prone to regard the Civil War as an affair of the sixties. Hone
was one of those who perceived the threat of it thirty years before.
Always a bitter political opponent of Jackson, there was one occasion
when he was loud in his applause. The South Carolina Convention had
passed a number of resolutions regarded by Hone as rank treason, and the
beginning of rebellion. The President had dealt with the matter in a
proclamation, of which the diarist wrote December 12, 1832: "Very much
to the surprise of some, and to the satisfaction of all our citizens, we
have a long proclamation of President Jackson, which was published in
Washington on the 12th. inst., and is in all our papers this day. It is
a document addressed to the nullifiers of South Carolina, occasioned by
the late treasonable proceedings of their convention. The whole subject
is discussed in a spirit of conciliation, but with firmness and
decision, and a determination to put down the wicked attempt to resist
the laws. On the constitutionality of the laws which the nullifiers
object to, and their right to recede from the Union, this able State
paper is full and conclusive. The language of the President is that of a
father addressing his wayward children, but determined to punish with
the utmost severity the first open act of insubordination. As a
composition it is splendid, and will take its place in the archives of
our country, and will dwell in the memories of our citizens alongside of
the farewell address of the 'Father of his Country.' It is not known
which of the members of the cabinet is entitled to the honour of being
the author; it is attributed to Mr. Livingston, the Secretary of State,
and to Governor Cass, the Secretary of War. Nobody, of course, supposes
it was written by him whose name is subscribed to it. But whoever shall
prove to be the author has raised to himself an imperishable monument of
glory. The sentiments, at least, are approved by the President, and he
should have the credit of it, as he would have the blame if it were bad;
and, possessing these sentiments, we have reason to believe that he has
firmness enough to do his duty.
"I say, Hurrah for Jackson, and so I am willing to say at all times when
he does his duty. The only difference between the thorough-going Jackson
man and me is, that I will not 'hurrah' for him right or wrong. And I
think that Jackson's election may save the Union."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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