Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/141

Rh A CHAPTER UPON SOME OF THE PROPHECIES RELATIVE TO THE DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION OF OUR STATES.

BY HON. G. W. NESMITH, LL. D.

John Nichols, Esq., was a member of the British Parliament during the greater part of the reign of George III. His father had been physician to George II, who died in 1760. In 1820, near the close of his life, Mr. Nichols wrote an interesting and valuable book, embodying his recollections and reflections upon the public affairs, and the statesmen that distinguished the reign of George III. He devotes one chapter to the United States. After speaking favorably of our form of government, as contributing greatly to human happiness, and to our military and naval power, and to our growth and prosperity, he then makes the positive prediction "that we must be divided.' He argues that the difference of soil, climate, produce, and occupation, will create that opposition of interest which must lead to separation.

Then he says, "whenever a division of the states takes place, most probably it will not, in the first instance, be a separation of the northern from the southern states, though this separation will, most probably, at one time or other take place, but of the western states from the eastern." He predicted "such separation would be attended with bloodshed." Nichols wrote his prophecy before the use of railroads which established close relations of intercourse and trade with the West, and for similar reasons may yet have a powerful influence in healing existing divisions between the South and the North.

It will be seen that Mr. Nichols's positive prediction has not yet been verified, though seriously attempted.

We next present an extract from Senator Samuel Bell's letter to the writer, dated January 17, 1833, showing his prophecy as to the effect of Gen. Jackson's proclamation upon the South Carolina nullification:

"We had, yesterday, a long and able message from the president, on the difficulties with South Carolina. It is said to be from the pen of Gov. Cass, the ablest man in the cabinet, and a native of New Hampshire. The president asks further legislation to enable him to execute the revenue laws in South Carolina. The most important of these is a provision authorizing a change or discontinuance of ports of entry, when necessary to the execution of these laws. Also a power to the United States Courts to take cognizance of appeals from state courts, without the necessity of copies of record, &c.

Our friends in Congress will give every prudent and reasonable aid to the president for enforcing the revenue laws in South Carolina. Many different opinions are entertained here as to the probability that South Carolina will resort to force in defence of her hallucinated notions on the subject of state rights and nullification.

They will yield or resist as they may expect to be deserted or upheld by the other southern states. I am inclined to think that the other southern states will not make a common cause with her."

We next present Gen. Jackson's view, or prophecy, as to nullification, &c., in his celebrated letter to his nephew, Rev. Andrew J. Crawford, dated May 1, 1833, Washington City:

"I have had a laborious task here—but nullification is dead; and its actors and excitors will only be remembered by the people to be execrated for their