Conspectus of the History of Political Parties and the Federal Government/Conspectus of Political History/Polk
Polk’s Administration.
Polk’s inaugural address expressed views consonant with the platform of his party. He called especial attention to the
Annexation of Texas.—The resolutions passed at the close of Tyler’s administration provided that the people of Texas should ratify the action of Congress before their state could become a member of the Union. When news of this action reached Mexico, the government of that country directed that diplomatic relations with the United States should cease, and offered to acknowledge the independence of Texas if the state would maintain a separate existence. The Congress of Texas convened on the 16th of June, 1845, and their President laid before them the resolutions of the United States Congress and the proposal of Mexico. The Texan legislators accepted the offer of annexation, and on the 4th of the following July, their action being ratified by a convention of the people, Texas was added to the territory of the Union, and became a state on the 27th of the next December.
Mexican war.—The President, in a special message, announced that war existed by the act of Mexico, appealed to Congress to recognize the same, and asked that money, be placed at his disposal to carry on the war. This placed in an unpleasant position the congressmen who had opposed annexation; but sectional pride induced a majority of them to support the administration, though some would not indorse the declaration that the war existed “by the act of the republic of Mexico.”
Wilmot proviso.—While hostilities were pending, Mr. Polk (August 4th, 1846,) asked for an appropriation which would enable him to negotiate a peace and purchase a section of Mexican territory, provided he should find such accession expedient or desirable. Accordingly, a bill, appropriating $2,000,000 for the purposes designated, was brought forward in the House of Representatives and put on its passage. At this stage, on motion of David Wilmot, a proviso was annexed to the bill, which prohibited slavery in the territory which should be acquired. This provision, after the name of its originator, was called the Wilmot proviso. It failed to become a law, though it was favored by the Whigs, and by a number of the dominant party, who were called Wilmot-proviso Democrats.
The sub-treasury act, which had been repealed by the Whigs, was re-enacted during the first session of the 29th Congress. This vote established the sub-treasury as a permanent institution of the country, and closed agitation on the subject.
Tariff.—In 1846, after repealing the tariff of 1842, a law was enacted providing for a tariff for the purpose of revenue only. The Democratic party rejected the principles of protection in their legislation on this subject.
Internal improvements.—President Polk withheld his signature from two bills, making appropriations for internal improvements. The public mind and a majority of Congress did not agree with the executive on the subject. The views of the former were expressed in conventions, and those of the latter by resolutions favoring the system.
Oregon.—Party lines on the Oregon question were drawn on the subject of the northern boundary. Members of the Liberty party advocated 54° 40′ as the dividing line, and asked the advocates of the annexation of Texas to favor this boundary with the same zeal they had manifested in their support of the Rio Grande as the southern limit of Texas. The administration party thought difficulty with England could be avoided by consenting to the 49th parallel as our northern boundary.
Liberty League.—The members of the Liberty party did not always act in harmony. In 1845, a state convention of men belonging to the Liberty party was held at Port Byron, New York. An address was printed, though not adopted, containing sentiments which met with the approval of many of the Liberty party. These men, in 1847, held a convention at Macedon, New York, nominated a Presidential ticket, consisting of Gerrit Smith and Elihu Burritt, separated entirely from their party, and took the name of Liberty League. They maintained that slavery was unconstitutional, and had for their watchword, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.”
Nominations for the canvass of 1848.—In October, 1847, the Liberty party, in national convention, at Buffalo, put in nomination John P. Hale and Leicester King. The Liberty League and dissatisfied members of the Liberty party met at Auburn, New York, January, 1848, renominated Gerrit Smith, and, Mr. Burritt having declined, selected C. C. Foote (Mich.), as candidate for Vice-President. The extreme views held by the League prevented it from developing popular strength. The Democratic convention was held at Baltimore, May 22, 1848. Two delegations appeared from New York, the Hunkers (for Dickinson) and the Barnburners (for Van Buren). After an exciting debate, both factions were admitted, with power to cast jointly the vote of the state. The decision being unsatisfactory, the former refused to participate in the proceedings, and the latter withdrew under protest. Generals Lewis Cass (Mich.) and William O. Butler (Ky.) were nominated. This selection became acceptable to the Hunkers, who, during the year, were merged into the regular Democratic ranks. The convention adopted a platform containing twenty-three resolutions, seven of which were taken from the platform of 1844. [See D. and Pl.] The Whig national convention, at Philadelphia, June 7, 1848, nominated General Zachary Taylor (La.) and Millard Fillmore (N. Y.) Owing to conflicting opinions on the slavery question no platform was adopted, but on the 9th of June, at a ratification meeting in the same city, seven resolutions were agreed upon, all commendatory of General Taylor. The subject of slavery was not mentioned.
Free-Soil party.—When the Barnburners retired from the convention at Baltimore, they issued a call for a state convention, to be held at Utica. The delegates, on the 22d of June, nominated Martin Van Buren (N. Y.) and Henry Dodge (Wis.), and called upon the opponents of slave extension to meet in national convention at Buffalo on the 9th of August. At the appointed time, delegates convened from a few of the slave states and from most all the free states. The Liberty party withdrew its own candidates and joined in the proceedings. A new party was organized which received the title of “Free-Soil,” a name taken from a resolution in the platform of principles. Martin Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams were chosen as candidates, General Dodge having resigned. [See D. and Pl.]
The canvass of 1848 showed that the Democrats and Whigs were not entirely satisfied with the position of their candidates on the slavery question. Cass was distrusted by the former, and Taylor by the latter. The Whig candidates were elected, having received 163 votes, against 127 cast for Cass and Butler.