Last Warning
- Jackson makes a last stand appeal to the citizens of South Carolina to check out how they've been bullied into the position they're now in.
- Think about how wonderful it is to have the proud title of "American citizen."
- Think about how all the states come together in a common bond—isn't that the best?
- We defend our borders, protect our industries, help each other communicate.
- Think about how we're thriving: the country's growing, we've got advances in science, we've got art and culture and education to make life more awesome.
- Listen, people—everyone wants to come here.
- So shouldn't South Carolinians, of all people, want to be part of this happy family? Your state has shed blood defending this very country you're now talking about leaving.
- And for what? Think it's going to be peaceful and you'll feel all independent?
- Think again. It will be constant fights with neighboring states, maybe even a foreign country.
- Jackson tells everyone he can't allow this to happen.
- Forcibly defying laws is not going to solve the problem, because he'll have to respond with force.
- Secession wouldn't be just disunion. It would be TREASON. With a capital T and capital R and…you get the picture.
- Are they ready to be traitors? The instigators of this little secession idea will bear the guilt, but the ordinary man will be the real victims.
- Liberty-haters all around the world will be jumping up and down when they see the U.S. torn into pieces over this. They can't stand it that our nation is so successful because it makes them all look so bad.
- South Carolina can still make those evil nations suffer if they just do the right thing.
- Jackson brings up the names of a bunch of illustrious South Carolina families who fought and died in the Revolutionary War. He begs everyone not to dishonor their memory.
- They should tell their leaders that a tariff is small potatoes compared to disunion. They sure don't want to be remembered as the people who destroyed the country.
- Believe me, he says, we'll get through this just fine, but you'll have a permanent blot on your souls.
- The fate of the country—maybe all free countries—depends on what South Carolinians choose to do next. So no pressure.
- The ordinance requires him to clearly state his thoughts on the matter, and he hopes he's done that. He sure thinks so.
- He hopes it won't come to force, but he has to stop this process and enforce the law by any means necessary.
- He just knows that everyone will decide to support the government and that people everywhere will see just how great republican institutions really are.
- Jackson hopes God will see to it that the country's blessings won't be lost by a bunch of reckless folks driven by partisan politics or personal motives.
- He prays that the nullifiers see the error of their ways before they rain down misery all over the nation.
- They need to realize that, if they could read God's mind, they'd see he totally intended the Union to endure. It's the only way to achieve our glorious destiny.
- Jackson out.