Joel Dorman Steele A Brief History of the United States, Fourth Edition (1885)

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was full of affectionate remembrance. He was carried home in a national vessel, the Brandywine, named in
honor of the battle in which La Fayette first drew his sword in behalf of the colonies.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Florida. By a treaty (1819), Spain now ceded Florida to the United States. (See p.
146.)
Monroe Doctrine. In one of President Monroe's messages he advocated a principle since famous as
MONROE'S ADMINISTRATION. 90
A Brief History of the United States
the Monroe Doctrine. He declared that any attempt by a European nation to gain dominion in America would
be considered by the United States as an unfriendly act.
POLITICAL PARTIES. Divisions now became apparent in the great party which had twice so triumphantly
elected Monroe as President. The whig party, as it came to be called in Jackson's time, was forming in
opposition to the republican thenceforth known as the democratic party. The whigs were in favor of a
protective tariff, and a general system of internal improvements; the democrats opposed these. No one of the
four candidates obtaining a majority of votes, the election went to the House of Representatives, where John
Quincy Adams, son of John Adams, was chosen.
[Footnote: John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay were the champions of the whigs; Andrew Jackson and John
C. Calhoun, of the democrats. In 1834, the democrats began to be called Locofocos, because, at a meeting
in Tammany Hall, the lights having been put out, were relighted with locofoco matches, which several,
expecting such an event, had carried in their pockets.]
[Footnote: A protective tariff is a duty imposed on imported goods for the purpose of encouraging their
manufacture at home. By internal improvements are meant the improving of the navigation of rivers, the
building of bridges and railroads, the dredging of harbors, etc.]
J. Q. ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION.
[Footnote: John Quincy Adams was born in Massachusetts, 1767; died 1848. He was a man of learning, of
blameless reputation and unquestioned patriotism, yet as a President he was hardly more successful than his
father. This was, doubtless, owing greatly to the fierce opposition which assailed him from the friends of
disappointed candidates, who at once combined to weaken his measures and prevent his re-election. Their
candidate was Andrew Jackson, a man whose dashing boldness, energy, and decision attracted the popular
masses, and hid the more quiet virtues of Adams. To add to his perplexities, a majority of the House, and
nearly one-half of the Senate, favored the new party, his own Vice-President, John C. Calhoun, being the
candidate of the opposition, and of course committed to it. To stem such a tide was a hopeless effort. In two
years Adams was returned to Congress, where he remained until his death, over sixteen years afterward. Ten
years of public service were thus rendered after he had passed his threescore years and ten, and so great
was his ability in debate at this extreme age, that he was called the old man eloquent. Like his father, he
was a wonderful worker, and his mind was a complete storehouse of facts. He lived economically, and left a
large estate. He was the congressional advocate of anti-slavery, and a bitter opponent of secret societies. His
fame increased with his age, and he died a trusted and revered champion of popular rights. He was seized
with paralysis while occupying his seat in Congress, after which he lingered two days in partial
unconsciousness. His last words were This is the last of earth; I am content. ]
(SIXTH PRESIDENT: 1825-1829)
[Illustration: THE FIRST RAILROAD TRAIN.]
This was a period of great national prosperity. During this term the first railroad in the United States was
completed, and the Erie Canal opened. The debt was fast diminishing, and there was a surplus of $5,000,000
in the treasury. A protective tariff, known as the American System, reached its height. It was popular at the
east, but distasteful to the south.
[Footnote: The southern States, devoted to agricultural pursuits, desired to have foreign goods brought to
them as cheaply as possible; while the eastern States, engaged in manufactures, wished to have foreign
competition shut off by heavy duties.]
J. Q. ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION. 91
A Brief History of the United States
Adams was a candidate for re-election, but Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans, and the democratic
nominee, was chosen. The principle of a protective tariff was thus rejected by the people.
JACKSON'S ADMINISTRATION.
[Footnote: Andrew Jackson was born 1767; died 1845. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. His father died
before he was born, leaving his mother very poor. As a boy, Andrew was brave and impetuous, passionately [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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