Page:Nullification Controversy in South Carolina.djvu/375

356 with its pains and penalties, to enforce the oath when enacted. It seemed certain that the oath would be adopted and there were various suggestions for plans of action by Union supporters. One plan proposed a secession of the Union members from the legislature upon the passage of the oath, and a convention at Charleston to denounce the state government and prepare a military organization of the Union party to prevent any more elections to the state legislature until the oath should be repealed. Finally, quite unexpectedly, the clouds were cleared away and the struggle was at an end with neither side positively victorious or vanquished. With the bill to amend the constitution by adding to it the oath of allegiance, was reported by the Committee on Federal Relations a construction of the amendment which the Union members thought would allow them to take the oath and in no way impair the obligations they felt toward the United States. Accordingly the bill was passed without opposition, and the treason bill and the plan for remodeling the judiciary were dropped.