Book two- Compromises and Promises. Chapter 3- the great debate.

- Senator Ryan McDonald photo credit Ahna Beth

 Overview: the craziness continues ;)

A bill was passed and signed into law. The law raised taxes from 50% to 100% to fund new government programs. Many states such as South Carolina were going to nullify it, while states like Massachusetts and Tennessee applauded it.

Hausheer and Dickinson....these two, kept clashing everyday. One night, at a presidential dinner Andrew Dickinson hinting at Emily’s states rights philosophy toasted; “The Union! May it ever be preserved against those states rights people!”  Emily broke protocol, and toasted back; “Only next to our liberty most my dear, may we remember the states that created the federal union and these United States are the strongest, if we stay together.” Her deep set grey eyes  looked calmly ahead.

On the floor of the Senate, Ryan McDonald of Massachusetts arose to express his discontent with South Carolina’s nullification declaration; “We are one union!” he eloquently captured the entire audience, with his words of “unity” and “patriotism.”

Sitting in the Vice President’s chair, was Emily Hausheer of South Carolina.  On the floor was Senator Noelle Young of South Carolina. Vice President Hausheer was handing her notes of encouragement to help defend the states’ nullification stance.
  After the debate, the darkness of night slowly crept by as senators returned to their boarding houses and hotels to retire. It was midnight, Vice President Hausheer received an alarming alert. Certain members of the South Carolina State Senate were planning secession. This had to be stopped dead in its tracks! She knew what needed to be done; boarded the train at Union station and took a city bus from Charleston to Columbia. “Wait!” she shouted stepping into the South Carolina Senate. “We have to take a pre-emptive strike and secede!” Senator Tabby Supples of the lowcountry demanded. "My estimates exactly!" another senator agreed. “No!” Emily protested. “If y’all do this, South Carolina will bear the burden of the Civil War that may come, I don’t want bloodshed. Listen to me! Let intellect and reason guide your beliefs, not foolish and rash actions!” Vice President Hausheer said in disgust.  Senator Supples turned around, amazed “Vice President Hausheer?” the Vice President smiled.   

Returning to Washington, Vice President Hausheer found out President Andrew Dickinson was too dangerous, and too unreasonable to listen;

To Whom it may Concern:

I will be accepting a US Senate seat. I resign the Vice Presidency of the United States- Emily R. Hausheer