"The Union At Risk: Jacksonian Democracy, States Rights And The Nullification Crisis" by Richard E. Ellis, is a well written and timely presentation (although published in 1987) of a 200 year old issue which appears to be gaining a new following in 2010 due to current issues surrounding health care and other matters. In fact, a newly published book entitled "Nullification: How To Resist Federal Tyranny In The 21st Century" by Thomas E. Woods, Jr., has been waiting on my shelf pending my completion of Ellis' work.
"The Union At Risk..." is a well organized, comprehensive and easily understood appraisal of the events surrounding South Carolina's action in passing state ordinances nullifying the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 within the borders of the state, and their threat to exercise their perceived right to secede if their grievances were not addressed. President Andrew Jackson's response in threatening to use force to collect revenue due under the tariffs and to arrest and try as traitors those responsible for promoting nullification is shown to be both a success and a failure. While there were many who agreed with him that nullification and/or secession were illegal or at least unwise, his extreme threats tore apart his party, caused supporters to become opponents, and did great harm to the very union he was determined to save. At the same time, Jackson was among the minority of officials willing to risk war to save the union. One is left with the very strong conclusion that had he NOT reacted so violently, the union might have dissolved at the hands of those who refused to consider a compromise in tariff rates, and those who were willing to allow a state to secede. Ellis' excellent interpretation and historical analysis assists the reader in putting all the pieces of the story together. Taking the position that Jackson was both right in his belief that the union had to be saved and wrong in his approach, the reader learns that the issues involved are complex and not easily resolved, and not even fully resolved 178 years later. The issues of states rights, the right of secession, and apparently, even the doctrine of nullification are still hot issues.
In his final chapter, Ellis summarizes events and trends, bringing the reader up to the middle of the 19th century and the civil war. Drawing on sociological changes in the United States, he helps the reader understand that the nullification crisis effectively created a situation which virtually assured a national conflict over states rights, with slavery and fear of strong governmental interference with that institution as the focusing factor.
Considering current events and future possibilities, this reader considers Ellis' work to be essential reading before anyone is prepared to seriously consider risking or promoting nullification in the 21st century.
Five stars for intelligence of writing, analysis and helpfulness.
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