The age of Jackson by Schlesinger Arthur M. (Arthur Meier) 1917-2007

Author:Schlesinger, Arthur M. (Arthur Meier), 1917-2007
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Publisher: Boston, Little, Brown and Company
Published: 1945-03-28T16:00:00+00:00

"The promulgation of them offends many; the operation of them injures many; and their sincerity is questioned by all." "

In Massachusetts the Whigs, as a majority party, felt less external pressure to change their tactics than they had in New York. Nevertheless the currents toward democratization were running strong. John Quincy Adams, in his erratic way, encouraged various liberal agitations, and the clear if diffident intelligence of Edward Everett perceived plainly that the old Federalism was dead. Under the influence of the Anti-Masonic movement, with which they both flirted, Adams and Everett led a brief revolt against Daniel Webster and the old guard. Adams assailed Webster without mercy in the House, and Everett, remarking that George Bancroft's radicalism was based on a "good principle viz', that the ultra Whig policy would injure the State," sought as Governor to steer a relatively liberal course." But in last analysis Adams was too unstable and Everett too timid to provide effective leadership. After gestures of defiance Adams went his lonely way and Everett crept back under Webster's wing.

The advocacy of liberalism among Massachusetts Whigs now fell to the political managers. Their motives were unashamed. "Those may sneer who choose at appeals to popular sympathies," observed the Boston Atlas, ". . . but it is only by means like these, that masses of men, whether great or small, are ever brought to act together." Since we live in a democracy, "in the long run those will always have the ascendancy in it, who take the most pains to secure the favor and good will, and to gain the ear of the people. Those who would have votes must descend into the forum and take the voters by the hand." ^°

The editor of the Atlas was Richard Haughton, a shrewd political strategist, and the chief editorial writer was the incisive Richard Hildreth, who, like Greeley, supported the new program out of his own humanitarian fervor (which in a few years would drive him from the party altogether). Announcing itself to be in agreement with "the abstract ideas of government advanced by the Globe, the Advo-

" Seward to Christopher Morgan [18411, Seward, Seward, 547. See also Hammond, Wright, 565-566, 680-^81.

^* Everett to Jared Sparks, November 10, 1834, Sparks Papers. Everett's gubernatorial message of 1836 prompted one New York Democrat to exclaim: "It breathes more of the spirit of democracy than any thing I have seen from that quarter. It is a part of the same plan which no doubt J. Q. Adams is engaged in bringing about; — the destruction of the present dinasty in Mass." R. Wardwell to A. C. Flagg, January 23, 1836, Flagg Papers.

^^ Boston Atlas, quoted in New York Evening Post, September 20, 1838.

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