“All the while,
   Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds.”

Arrived at the custom-house, he will tell the collector that he must collect no more duties under any of the tariff laws.  This he will be somewhat puzzled to say, by the way, with a grave countenance, considering what hand South Carolina herself had in that of 1816.  But, sir, the collector would not, probably, desist at his bidding.  He would show him the law of Congress, the treasury instruction, and his own oath of office.  He would say, he should perform his duty, come what come might.

Here would ensue a pause; for they say that a certain stillness precedes the tempest.  The trumpeter would hold his breath awhile, and before all this military array should fall on the custom-house, collector, clerks, and all, it is very probable some of those composing it would request of their gallant commander-in-chief to be informed upon a little point of law; for they have doubtless, a just respect for his opinions as a lawyer, as well as for his bravery as a soldier.  They know he has read Blackstone and the Constitution, as well as Turenne and Vauban.  They would ask him, therefore, somewhat concerning their rights in this matter.  They would inquire whether it was not somewhat dangerous to resist a law of the United States.  What would be the nature of their offence, they would wish to learn, if they, by military force and array, resisted the execution in Carolina of a law of the United States, and it should turn out, after all, that the law was constitutional?  He would answer, of course, treason.  No lawyer could give any other answer.  John Fries, he would tell them, had learned that some years ago.  “How, then,” they would ask, “do you propose to defend us?  We are not afraid of bullets, but treason has a way of taking people off that we do not much relish.  How do you propose to defend us?” “Look at my floating banner,” he would reply; “see there the nullifying law!”

“Is it your opinion, gallant commander,” they would then say, “that, if we should be indicted for treason, that same floating banner of yours would make a good plea in bar?” “South Carolina is a sovereign State,” he would reply.  “That is true; but would the judge admit our plea?” “These tariff laws,” he would repeat, “are unconstitutional, palpably, deliberately, dangerously.”  “That may all be so; but if the tribunal should not happen to be of that opinion, shall we swing for it?  We are ready to die for our country, but it is rather an awkward business, this dying without touching the ground!  After all, that is a sort of hemp tax worse than any part of the tariff.”

Mr. President, the honorable gentleman would be in a dilemma, like that of another great general.  He would have a knot before him which he could not untie.  He must cut it with his sword.  He must say to his followers, “Defend yourselves with your bayonets”; and this is war—­civil war.