Jackson had some serious problems with the ways that nullifiers like John C. Calhoun viewed the constitution as it related to the issue of the Tariff of 1828. He had his own opinions about how the American political system was supposed to work and he wanted the nullifiers to know those opinions. Or suffer the consequences.

Because of this, he structured his essay very intentionally.

First, he wanted the nullifiers to know that he understood their arguments regarding constitutional nullification. He thought they were foolish arguments, but he understood them nonetheless. That's why he began with an extensive acknowledgement of their perspective.

Sounds like marriage counseling.

Like any good argumentative essay, Jackson spent the next bit critiquing and picking apart each argument laid out in South Carolina's Ordinance. He did throw out a few insults here and there, but generally stuck to his guns on providing a legitimate critique to South Carolina's arguments regarding the validity of constitutional authority.

He then appeals to a shining vision of a nation so enlightened, so culturally and scientifically rich, that it's the envy of the world. And guess what: it's about to go down the tubes unless this threat of secession is stopped.

The rest of Jackson's Proclamation was less of a proclamation and more of a death threat to South Carolina and any other states that might get similar ideas. Jefferson was used to using force to get his way whether people liked it or not, and he wasn't about to stop now.

How it Breaks Down

I Get It

Jackson reviews the terms of South Carolina's Ordinance to let them know he's read it and is very clear about what they're saying so nobody can accuse him of misreading it.

South Carolina—I'm Calling You Out

Like every good WrestleMania match, the fight needs to begin with a little bit of flair. That's just what Jackson is doing in his next segment. He's calling out South Carolina for threatening to secede, and for uttering the word nullification. And like every good wrestling match, Jackson promises to bring the smackdown.

Nullies are Party Poopers

Jackson spends a significant chunk of his proclamation picking apart the Ordinance piece by piece. So first, he wants the Nullies to know that they are ruining a perfectly good time. The constitution doesn't allow every state to do whatever it wants, according to Jackson, so why can't South Carolina just accept that and start playing nice with all the other states?

You Want Some Cheese to Go With that Whine?

Next, Jackson is telling South Carolina to stop acting like such babies. He's calling them out for crying "but it's not fair!" "Well, life's not fair," says Jackson "now, get over it." He wants them to know that every state has gotten the shaft at one time or another, and now it's just South Carolina's turn. So stop crying.

You Can Have Your Congressional Cake and Eat it Too

Part of the argument in the ordinance convention's statement was that neither Congress nor the President had the constitutional right to enforce such a tariff law. Jackson wants to know what's the point of having these people around if they sit there and do nothing. And yes, he states, they most definitely can enforce these laws. If they'd just read their Constitution, they'd know that.

Look What You've Done to Your Poor Mother

If the Founding Fathers and Mothers were still alive, they'd be so disappointed in you. They slaved all year writing this Constitution and now you're trampling all over it. That's Jackson trying to tug at the heart strings of the Nullies, wanting South Carolina to feel really bad about it by extolling patriotic virtue and nationalistic pride. The comes the zinger: if the Union dissolves into chaos and the best nation in the world is destroyed, well, it's on them.

Mic Dropped

Jackson ends with a confident, "I know you'll do the right thing. But if you don't, we are going to force you to. And may God smack some sense into you before things really get out of hand."