uniform system of internal improvements," and "against the spoils system."

The Democratic convention met in Baltimore on March 22, 1832. The call for this national convention originated in New Hampshire, and was cordially responded to, every State, except Missouri, sending delegates. Andrew Jackson was nominated by acclamation for President, and Martin Van Buren for Vice-President. This convention was unmarked by any of the incidents inseparable from similar modern assemblages. There were no outside, or as are now called "booming" delegations; no flaunting of banners; no blaring of bands; no scattering of likenesses of the "favorite sons"; no display of badges or buttons; there was not even the studied oratory and accompanying enthusiasm of nominating speeches. But the earnestness of those in attendance was proved by their presence at great inconvenience; many of them having travelled hundreds of miles on horseback.

The convention adopted the rules reported by a committee appointed to prepare them. One of these rules provided that two thirds of the whole number of votes of the convention shall be necessary to constitute a choice in making nominations. At every national convention since, this has been reaffirmed as the law of the Democratic party. This setting aside of the doctrine that the majority should control has been defended upon the ground that otherwise the delegates from States dominated by the opposition party, aided by a sufficient number - although a small minority- from Democratic States, might force upon the convention a candidate to whom the great mass of the party was decidedly opposed. Jackson was considered so perfect an embodiment of Democracy that it was not thought necessary to make a formal declaration of political principles. The action of the convention upon this subject was somewhat unique.

A committee was appointed to prepare an address to the people. This committee reported that while they" fully agreed upon principles and sentiments" they considered an address unnecessary; and recommended the several delegations" to make such explanation by address, report, or otherwise, to their respective constituents, of the objects, proceedings, and result of the meeting as they may deem expedient.'

While this looked like a palpable evasion of responsi bility, and a shrewd method of avoiding troublesome issues, there was nothing in the condition of public sentiment to cause any fear of dissension.

At the election, on November 6, 1832, the Jackson electors received 687,502, the Clay, 530,189; all of the States, except Alabama and South Carolina, where the electors were chosen by the legislature, having had a vote by the people. The result in the electoral colleges gave Jackson a still more emphatic endorsement. The vote stood:

1 The electoral votes for Jackson were: Maine, 10; New Hampshire, 7; New York, 42; New Jersey, 8; Pennsylvania, 30; Maryland, 3; Virginia, 23; North Carolina, 15; Georgia, II; Alabama, 7: Mississippi, 4; Louisiana, 5 Tennessee, 15; Ohio, 21; Indiana, 9: Illinois, 5; Missouri, 4-total, 219.

For Clay were: Massachusetts, 14; Rhode Island, 4; Connecticut, 8; Delaware, 3; Maryland, 5; Kentucky, 15-total, 49.

William Wilkins of Pennsylvania.....

Henry Lee of Massachusetts....

Amos Ellmaker of Pennsylvania...

Not voting....

30

II

7

2

At this election 147 Democrats and 93 Whigs were returned to the House. The Senate stood, 30 Democrats and 18 Whigs.

At the next Congressional election for representatives, to serve during the last half of Jackson's second term, 144 Democrats and 98 Whigs were returned, the Senate standing 33 Democrats to 19 Whigs.

It may seem a little strange to latter-day Democrats that one of their great apostles should have been so zealous in upholding a protective tariff. But a review of the party's position on that question may seem still more strange.

Jackson's position on both the bank and this question, and his entire administration, solidified the party, and made it apparently invincible.

No doubt this emphatic and significant approval of his policy strengthened him for the great contests he had in hand. We have followed at some length, but by no means exhaustively, his struggle with and overthrow of the National Bank. This had lost him some friends; but he was to lose more, and they of his own section of the country, by his position on the tariff. But for every one so lost he probably gained ten.

The existing duties were highly beneficial to New England, but bore heavily upon the non-manufacturing States of the south. South Carolina threatened to nullify the law or secede from the Union. Jackson, it was said, made a counter and more effective threat: to hang Calhoun, who was an active promoter of nullification; and he swore a mighty oath that the Union must and shall be preserved!

The ordinance of nullification was to take effect on

February 1, 1833. On December 16, 1832, the President issued a proclamation to the people of South Carolina, pointing out the folly, danger, and even treason of their action, and declaring his unwavering purpose to execute the law. To show that he did not intend to limit himself to paper bullets, he sent a naval force to occupy Charleston harbor; and he furnished a guard to protect the customs officers in the discharge of their duty. The nullifiers yielded. At the next session of Congress, Mr. Clay reported a Compromise Tariff Bill, which for a time. allayed the excitement on that subject.

But the war between the President and the Senate continued. Many of the President's nominations for office were rejected by that body; and an effort was made to limit his power of appointment. This, however, was not as successful as the more recent action of the Senate when Andrew Johnson was President.

Jackson acted very largely upon the principle afterwards promulgated by Marcy-" to the victors belong the spoils." There was no civil-service law; and he felt that, in view of the determined and obstinate opposition of his enemies, he should be surrounded by his supporters.

Notwithstanding the continued friction and turbulence, the country under Jackson's administration was marvellously prosperous. The locomotive had been introduced; coal had been discovered and utilized; newspapers had taken fresh and vigorous life; Bryant, Cooper, Irving, Hawthorne, Poe and Longfellow, Prescott and Bancroft, were founding an American school of literature. Public schools had been everywhere established.

In 1835 the national debt was paid off; and the surplus income of the government was divided amongst the States.

Arkansas was admitted to the Union in 1836, and Michigan in 1837.

Jackson's foreign policy was as vigorous and firm as his domestic policy. Other nations were taught to respect the United States. Legitimate claims, which had been neglected, were paid by France, Portugal, and other nations; and the young Republic held her head high amongst her sister nations. So it is not surprising that the party of Jackson enlisted the enthusiastic support of the masses of the people.

The Whigs seem to have been disheartened by the crushing defeat of 1832; and held no national convention preparatory to the election of 1836. Some of the

State legislatures, conforming to a custom of former years, placed candidates in nomination. In this way William Henry Harrison of Ohio, Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, and Willie P. Mangum of North Carolina were named for President, and John Tyler of Virginia, Francis Granger of New York, and John McLean of Ohio were named for Vice-President.

The Whigs in State convention at Albany, New York, February 3, 1836, adopted some resolutions which could scarcely be called articles of political faith, unless adherence to one man and hostility to another could be so construed. One of these resolutions denounced Martin Van Buren, and another eulogized General Harrison, and pledged him their support.

The Democrats of New York declared their belief in the self-evident truths enumerated in the Declaration of Independence; enlarged upon the natural rights of man, and his relations to society and government; and demanded the largest individual freedom consistent with public peace. They also declared their unqualified hostility to paper money, and to the creation of monopolies by legislation.

The National Democratic convention met in Baltimore May 20, 1836, and nominated Jackson's choice, Van Buren, for President; and Richard M. Johnson of