The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-04-23
AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES
DURING TIE JACK
SON PERIOD
BY JESSE MACY. IL D.

From the election Of 1924 may be
dated the rise Of what is often called
'Jacksonian Democracy" which IS the
personal rule Of the most popular man
Inc old Republican or Democratlc-tt he
puoncan party was rent into NUMBER
Of factions, each gathered round the
person Of an asplrant to the presidency.
Jackson had the largest following and
the characteristic tendency in Demo-
cratic nations for people 70 divide into
two fairly equal political bodies now
Degan to assert itself. In the maj
choosing Of a. president it was natural
IOr the weaker factions to combine
against the strongest Clay being out
OF the race, held the decision IN his
own hands since his electoral votes
given 10 one or another of the remain
ing candidates would determine the re-
suit. Crawford, feeble and palsied,
seemed an impossible choice. There
was strong personal ennity between
Jackson and Clay, while the Calhoun
and Jackson forces were drawing to-
gether. 1t was apparently inevitable
that Clay's votes should be given to
Adams The day following Adams
election he announced his choice Of
Clay Tor secretary OF state, and charges
of corrupt political bargain" have
I
Two hlgh-minded, upright and patriot
ic men, There was never any trust
worthy proof Of the assumed fact, but
the cloud Swallowed all Clay's after ca
reer and was one OF the influences con-
trfbuting TO the turbulence of Adams
| term of office
Policy of John Quincy Adams.
Out Of the personal rivalries of this
l,.acr I'D 10
siderable extent upon questions Of gov
ernmental policy are now seen to
emerge. President Adams set forth
definite and positive principles upon
which he proposed TO shape his admin
| iStrative career. Giving a liberal con-
Strucuon to the terms of the constitu-
ton, he warmly favored internal i'm
J provemeElts by federal aid and advo-
I Gated national education. Trouble in
| Georgia respecting the final settlement
| Of treaties with the Creek Indians,
which involved disputes as to certain
| lands, led to the firm declaration by
/ FEDERAL rights against the arrogant as
/ SertiOn OF the power of the state 20
4 override United STATES authority. In
| the resulting congressional debate up
/ on this matter Webster'S powerful
voice was heard in support Of the ad-
( n1ini5tratio9, while southern members
freely raised the cry or federal infringe
ment upon the constitutional rights OF
the states and interference with do
nestle concerns, coupled with threats
! OF withdrawal from the union. But the
opponents Of the president in congress
Withheld their support and the weak
ness Of the administration was shown
by GeOrgia's successful defiance.
When tariff questions came to the
! front it appeared that north and south
we're divided upon the subject of pro
lection also. Underlying the various
| differences as they rose may be seer
! the old constitutional quarrel between
! strict and broad Interpretation of the
constitution, state sovereignty and the
supremacy Of the national government
The administration OF Adams was g
clsan, honorable, dignlfed one. He
pers,Stently refused TO use the public
patronage for his personal or party
advantage. 1t was not a popular or
successful adnlinstratio Adams was
q minority president Jackson was tht
peoples choice Scarcely had the ex-
ecutive taken the official oath in 1s2;
when Jackson was announced as {
candidate for the election of 1928.