" THE CAPITOL, WASHINGTON, D. C. THE . 794 826 . 876 882 · 932 . 986 .1030 .1078 F Chapter XXII THE WHIG ASCENDENCY. 1841-1845 I WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON ELECTED PRESIDENT OR the first time since the dissolution of the Federalist and gle for possession of the government now ensued. It is true that at the last presidential election something of a party contest between the Democrats and Whigs had occurred, but neither had perfected its organization, and in fact the masses of the voters had not yet fully aligned themselves according to strict party divisions. It will be remembered that after the disintegration of political parties during Monroe's administration the issues which divided the voters were personal rather than political. Thus in the presidential campaign of 1824 adherents of both the old parties were to be found voting for the same candidate, their choice being determined mainly by their opinion of the personal fitness of the various nominees. So far as the political views of the candidates who stood for the Presidency were concerned, only a shade of difference was discoverable. Federalists were no longer to be found. The remnant of that party had been assimilated by the Democratic-Republican party, which contained a larger contingent of high tariff men and advocates of internal improvements. This element was commonly designated as the national wing of the Republican party, Adams and Clay being its most conspicuous leaders. The election of Jackson and the launching of his programme soon afforded the occasion and the need for party reorganization. Those who sympathized with his principles of government and supported his policies came to be called Democrats, while his opponents continued to be known as National Republicans. The events of his second term, particularly those which related to his attitude toward the bank and the national finances, alienated many |