1828 Internal Improvements. 225 he dull, unintelligent slave labor of the South could not compete with the skilful, enterprising free labor of the North. What followed is apparent. In a little while the North became the advocate of a protective tariff; the South, the opponent. So, too, legislation changed; and we have had since the day when the first protective tariff was called into existence (1816) to the present time (1879), numerous tariffs, some having for their special object protection, others, revenue; and still, with all our varied experience we have not reached a definite, permanent policy on this subject. 6. Adams was the friend and promoter of internal improvements; and during his administration more was done, aided by the general government, to promote these objects than in all the previous administrations. "More than Internal one million of dollars were expended in enlarg- improvements. ing and maintaining the light-house establishment, half a million in completing the public buildings, two millions in erecting arsenals, barracks, and furnishing armories; upwards of three millions in fortifying the sea-coast; and more than four millions in improving the internal communications between different parts of the country, and in procuring information, by scientific surveys, concerning its capacity for further improvement.' 7. In addition to all this, " more than five millions of dollars were appropriated to solace the declining years of the surviving soldiers of the Revolution; and a million and a half expended in extinguishing the Indian title to lands, and defraying the expense of the removal beyond the Mississippi of such tribes as were unqualified for a residence near civilized communities, and in promoting the civilization of those, who, relying on the faith of the United States, preferred to remain on the lands which were the abodes of their fathers. At the same time the interest on the public debt was punctually paid, and the debt itself was in a constant course of reduction." 8. On the 4th of July, 1828, Adams, accompanied by an immense number of persons,-members of Congress, foreign ministers, and others-was present at the ceremony of "breaking ground" on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canals. canal. The year before, Edward Everett, in an address said: "A system of internal improvement has been commenced, which will have the effect, when a little further developed, of crowding within a few years the progress of generations. Already Lake Champlain from the north, and Lake Erie from the west, have been connected with Albany. Delaware and Chesapeake bays have been united. A canal is nearly finished in the upper part of New Jersey, from the Delaware to the Hudson, by which coal is dispatched to our market. Another route is laid out, across the same State, to connect New York by a railroad with Philadelphia. A water communication has been opened, by canals, half-way from Philadelphia to Pittsburg. A canal of sixty miles in length is open from Cincinnati to Dayton, in the State of Ohio; and another, of more than three hundred miles in extent, to connect Lake Erie with the Ohio, is two-thirds completed.' Jackson's Administration. 1. The presidential contest of 1828 was more exciting thar any that had preceded it. There were two parties contending for ANDREW JACKSON. ter and personal; not only the public acts, but even the pri 1832 Bank of the United States. 227 vate lives of the two candidates were closely scanned. Jackson was successful by a very large majority, and was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1829. Calhoun was a second time chosen vice-president. 2. Adams, like his predecessors, had refused to make officeholding depend upon politics; but Jackson believed in the doctrine, formulated at a later day, that "to the victor belong the spoils." He, therefore, commenced the practice called "rotation in office," by which government Rotation officials are removed from their positions and the in office. political friends of the president appointed to the offices. Jackson's course provoked protest and abuse, but it was firmly persisted in, and has been followed to a greater or less extent by all his successors. Bank of the United States. 66 3. In his first annual message to Congress, Jackson took ground against the renewal of the charter of the United States Bank; and when, notwithstanding his objections, a bill was passed to renew it, he vetoed the measure (1832). The next year he withdrew the government deposits from the bank, and caused them to be placed in several of the State banks, which, because they were thus favored, were thence spoken of as Pet Banks." This act caused great excitement; and a resolution of the Senate declared the act unconstitutional, and censured the president. The State banks which had received the government funds, increased their loans to the merchants, and money became so abundant that the price of everything was advanced. This led to speculation, all hoping to become suddenly rich. Farms were laid out for cities, and cut up into building lots, which sold at fabulous prices, although those who bought them were unable to build upon them, or In 1791, during Washington's administration, the first bank of the United States was established by Congress, for a period of twenty years. Its charter was not renewed. In 1816, the second bank of the United States was established, to exist till the 3d of March, 1836, when it ceased to act under the charter granted by Congress. even to pay for them. The ruinous consequences of this state of things were experienced not long afterward. 4. The tariff law of 1828 grew every year more unsatisfactory to the cotton-growing States; and, though an act was passed removing some of the duties on foreign goods, they were still discontented. South Carolina took the Nullification. lead in opposition to the law, or, rather, was the only member of the Union that assumed State hostility to it. A convention, elected by its voters, met and ordained that the tariff law was null and void, that no duties should be paid in the State, no appeal should be permitted to be made to the Supreme Court of the United States, and that should the general government attempt to enforce the law by collecting the duties, the State of South Carolina would secede from the Union (1832). 5. "The State resounded with the noise of warlike preparations. Blue cockades, with a palmetto button in the centre, appeared upon thousands of hats, bonnets, and bosoms. Medals were struck ere long, bearing this inscription: 'John C. Calhoun, First President of the Southern Confed eracy.' The legislature proceeded to fill the vacancy created in the Senate of the United States by the election of Mr. Hayne to the governorship. John C. Calhoun, vice-president of the United States, was the person selected, and he accepted the seat. He resigned the vicepresidency, and began his journey to Washington, leaving his State in the wildest ferment." 6. Jackson acted with promptness and firmness. He sent General Scott to Charleston, a naval force was anchored off the city, and all the military posts in South Carolina were occupied by United States JOHN C. CALHOUN. 1836-7 Arkansas ana Michigan. 66 229 troops. Then Jackson issued his celebrated proclamation (December 11th, 1832), announcing his determination to enforce the law. Argument, warning, and entreaty were blended in its composition." "The Union," he said, "must and shall be preserved." These prompt and decisive measures had the desired effect. The nullifiers, as they were called, were restrained; and, not long afterward, a "compromise bill," providing for the gradual reduction of the duties, was offered by Henry Clay, accepted by Calhoun and the other South Carolina leaders, and passed by Congress. Thus quiet was restored. 7. The election campaign in 1832 came on while the bank and nullification troubles were at their height. It Jackson's was a decidedly ear- 2d election. nest one. The country was very much excited and party spirit ran high. Jackson, who was again the candidate of the Democrats, was lauded as "the hero of New Orleans," the "old Roman," and, in allusion to his toughness as a soldier, "Old Hickory." Hickory poles, these being hickory trees trimmed so as to leave no limbs except at the top, were raised at the great out-door meetings. Every city-ward, every town, village, and hamlet had its hickory pole at the head-quarters of the party. On one occasion of a hickorypole raising in New York city, there was a Democratic procession, says a French traveler who described it, "nearly a mile long." Jackson was again successful. Martin Van Buren, of New York, was chosen vice-president. HENRY CLAY. New States. 8. Two States were added to the Union while Jackson was president. The first, Arkansas, formed from the territory known as the "Louisiana Purchase," was admitted in 1836. The second, Michigan, formerly a |