the act of Congress of the last session, with the whole system of legislation imposing duties [taxes] on imports—not for revenue, but the protection of one branch of industry at the expense of others—is
unconstitutional, unequal, and oppressive, and calculated to corrupt the public virtue and destroy the
liberty of the country...
...The Senate and House of Representatives of South Carolina... solemnly protest against the system of
protecting duties, lately adopted by the Federal Government, for the following reasons
... the Tariff Law passed by Congress at the last session, and all other acts of which the principal object
is the protection of manufactures, or any other branch of domestic industry, if they considered
as the exercise of a supposed power in Congress to tax the people at its own good will and pleasure,
and to apply the money raised to objects not specified in the Constitution, is a violation of these
fundamental principles... John Calhoun, South Carolina Exposition and Protest
14. How did John Calhoun defend states’ rights and the theory of Nullification? (8.4)
a. Calhoun argued that state did not have the right to nullify or reject a federal law
b. Calhoun argued that protective tariffs were unconstitutional and should be nullified
c. Calhoun argued that the National Bank was unconstitutional and should be nullified.
d. Calhoun argued that tariffs to raise revenue were unconditional and should be nullified.