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A review by shanehawk
Nullification: How to Resist Federal Tyranny in the 21st Century by Thomas E. Woods Jr.
5.0
The first half was an excellent historical account and analysis of Jefferson’s nullification and interposition. Woods included people’s opinions at the time across the states. He mirrored some modern day examples albeit they lack teeth and some refer to this as “neo-nullification.” Woods showed how nullification was used on behalf of free speech and free trade, and against unconstitutional searches and seizures, federalization of the militia for offensive purposes, the prospect of military conscription, and the worst outrages of the fugitive-slave laws.
An important read as nullification is creeping into common dialogue vis-a-vis cannabis legalization and sanctuary cities/states. Perhaps states will grow a backbone and begin to outright claim a federal law unconstitutional and obstruct federal enforcement of it.
The second half was a reprinting of eleven essential documents including the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 and 1799, which were written by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.
Also included were:
- A document in which the Virginia Legislature explained the Resolutions of 1798 to the people of Virginia
- Madison’s Report of 1800 in which he replied to arguments against his 1798 resolutions
- A transcript of a speech from Connecticut governor Trumbull in which he addressed Jefferson’s embargo and endorsed state interposition
- The resolutions of Connecticut’s General Assembly in which they adopted Trumbull’s positions and policy—also makes reference to Massachusetts’ legislature which has similar feelings
- An excerpt from John C. Calhoun’s Fort Hill Address (July 26, 1831) in which, as sitting Vice President, he defends nullification from criticism
- An excerpt from a pamphlet authored by Judge Abel P. Upshur explained nullification as laid out in the Virginia Resolutions of 1798 was the only way to truly enforce it—anything less was inadequate
- An excerpt from essays published as articles in Virginia’s Norfolk and Portsmouth Herald and authored by Littleton Waller Tazewell which addressed President Jackson’s “Proclamation Regarding Nullification of December 10, 1832.” The excerpt has Tazewell arguing against the judicial branch being an impartial arbiter in cases between the federal government and states.
- The Joint Resolution of the Legislature of Wisconsin (March 19, 1859) in which Wisconsin addressed, six decades later, how the federal government had no right to charge abolitionist Sherman Booth in agitating matters involving fugitive slave Joshua Glover. It essentially invoked nullification against slavery.
“When the term ‘united States of America’ was used, the word ‘united’ was not capitalized, as if they were bestowing a name upon a united federation of states. To the contrary, these were the states of America, united in their determination to break their respective political bonds with Britain but not united in the sense of having somehow dissolved their various sovereignties into one.”
An important read as nullification is creeping into common dialogue vis-a-vis cannabis legalization and sanctuary cities/states. Perhaps states will grow a backbone and begin to outright claim a federal law unconstitutional and obstruct federal enforcement of it.
The second half was a reprinting of eleven essential documents including the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 and 1799, which were written by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.
Also included were:
- A document in which the Virginia Legislature explained the Resolutions of 1798 to the people of Virginia
- Madison’s Report of 1800 in which he replied to arguments against his 1798 resolutions
- A transcript of a speech from Connecticut governor Trumbull in which he addressed Jefferson’s embargo and endorsed state interposition
- The resolutions of Connecticut’s General Assembly in which they adopted Trumbull’s positions and policy—also makes reference to Massachusetts’ legislature which has similar feelings
- An excerpt from John C. Calhoun’s Fort Hill Address (July 26, 1831) in which, as sitting Vice President, he defends nullification from criticism
- An excerpt from a pamphlet authored by Judge Abel P. Upshur explained nullification as laid out in the Virginia Resolutions of 1798 was the only way to truly enforce it—anything less was inadequate
- An excerpt from essays published as articles in Virginia’s Norfolk and Portsmouth Herald and authored by Littleton Waller Tazewell which addressed President Jackson’s “Proclamation Regarding Nullification of December 10, 1832.” The excerpt has Tazewell arguing against the judicial branch being an impartial arbiter in cases between the federal government and states.
- The Joint Resolution of the Legislature of Wisconsin (March 19, 1859) in which Wisconsin addressed, six decades later, how the federal government had no right to charge abolitionist Sherman Booth in agitating matters involving fugitive slave Joshua Glover. It essentially invoked nullification against slavery.
“When the term ‘united States of America’ was used, the word ‘united’ was not capitalized, as if they were bestowing a name upon a united federation of states. To the contrary, these were the states of America, united in their determination to break their respective political bonds with Britain but not united in the sense of having somehow dissolved their various sovereignties into one.”