of force on the part of the federal Government to reduce this
State to obedience." Should force be used, the ordinance boldly
declared--indeed, should _any_ action contrary to the will of the
people be taken to execute the measures declared void--such efforts
would be regarded as "inconsistent with the longer continuance of
South Carolina in the Union," and "the people of this State" would
"thenceforth hold themselves absolved from all further obligation to
maintain or preserve their political connection with the people of the
other States, and will forthwith proceed to organize a separate
Government, and to do all other acts and things which sovereign and
independent States may of right do."

In accordance with the instructions of the convention, the Legislature
forthwith reassembled to pass the measures deemed necessary to enforce
the ordinance. A replevin act provided for the recovery of goods
seized or detained for payment of duty; the use of military force,
including volunteers, to "repel invasion" was authorized; and
provision was made for the purchase of arms and ammunition. Throughout
the State a martial tone resounded. Threats of secession and war were
heard on every side. Nightly meetings were held and demonstrations
were organized. Blue cockades with a palmetto button in the center
became the most popular of ornaments. Medals were struck bearing the
inscription: "John C. Calhoun, First President of the Southern
Confederacy." The Legislature, reassembling in December, elected Hayne
as Governor and chose Calhoun--who now resigned the vice
presidency--to take the vacant seat in the Senate. In his first
message to the Legislature Webster's former antagonist declared his
purpose to carry into full effect the nullification ordinance and the
legislation supplementary to it, and expressed confidence that, if the
sacred soil of the State should be "polluted by the footsteps of an