|
The Book of Nullification
|
The Book of Nullification (1830) is a work about the prelude to the Nullification Crisis, which is written in the style of the King James Bible. The anonymous author was later identified as Christopher Memminger, a leader of the opponents during the nullification excitement. Content The work is a thirty-one page text. The title page lists the author merely as "a spectator of the past" and "Charleston" as the location of publication. Discussion of style In the frontmatter, the author explains the work's use of scriptural style: The style in which the Jewish history is written in the Scriptures, is one peculiarly adapted to convey information to all classes of readers. The wise, and the unlearned, understand it with equal facility; and even those who run may read and comprehend. The following article is clothed in this historical garb purely with a view to address the understandings of all our citizens, and to exhibit to them in terms the most simple, the conduct of their rulers for several years past. A SPECTATOR OF THE PAST Synopsis The text begins with the presidency of John Quincy Adams and the Tariff of 1816: :Now it came to pass that in those days John of Quincy reigned over all the land of America. :Wherefore let us take counsel together, and make to ourselves a statute, to be ordained by John the King, even an ordinance to shut out the stranger and his merchandize, and let us make to ourselves all that is needful to the body The author casts Nullification as idolatry: :And I John, will cast for ye all a Graven Image, which shall be endued with great power to blind the eyes of the people, and to shut their ears, and ye shall set it up in a high place, and ye shall bow down before it, and worship it. 31. "And the name of the Graven Image shall be called 'Nullification, The work includes references to presidency of Andrew Jackson ("Andrew sat upon his throne", "Andrew the King"), events of Colleton county, and the calling of conventions. Characters in the main text include: * John the Conjuror * Robert the Nullifier * James, of Virginia * Thomas, of Winyaw * George the Prophey * James, son of James Concluding statement of authorial intent The work concludes with a discussion of the author and his motives: 66. Now these are the chapters of the Book of Nullification; and the scribe who hath written them, is an humble follower of the Truth, and his name is not great, for it is not found in the Book, and he shall be translated hence to a far country, and no man, who loveth the truth, shall seek to find him out. Historic commentary "The Life and Times of C. G. Memminger" (1893) by Henry Dickson Capers discusses the Book of Nullification: :"Early in the year following the anniversary celebration above reported, and before the election for delegates took place, a satire on Nullification appeared in pamphlet form, written in biblical style, which attracted much attention by its caustic wit and well-directed sarcasm. Although the author was initially anonymous, "before the election was found to be Mr. Memminger, who had thus brought himself prominently before the people, and by his excellent humor aided the cause that had so warmly enlisted his sympathies."
|
|
|