The presidential election of 1836 is often overlooked in the matter of importance of United States elections. Common opinion is that it was an insignificant election that was a runaway by the Democrats because the Whigs could not agree on a candidate. However, the election was important in the fact that there was once again a two party system. The election was not as convincing a victory for the Democrats as is popularly held. The Democrats and Whigs each faced various challenges on the road to the election of 1836.

Andrew Jackson and the Jacksonian Democratic Republicans enjoyed dominating victories in both the 1828 and 1832 elections, but there was uncertainty heading into the election of 1836. Many former Democrats had left the party for various reasons; Jackson had disillusioned some by the extensive powers he used while in office, while others feared Martin Van Buren, former Vice-president and the apparent heir to Jackson. "Stunned when the legislature of his own state of Tennessee decided to nominate favorite son Senator Hugh Lawson White in January 1835, he {Jackson} called for a Democratic convention before more states were lost," (5, 57.) Jackson wanted to unite the Democratic party behind the man that he saw as the future of the party, Van Buren. Many factors now would play against Van Buren. He had trouble within his party as the vice-presidential nomination was very close and the man who was defeated, Senator William C. Rives of Virginia and his supporters were angered by their loss. Van Buren personally wrote Rives to explain the need for balance on their ticket and to urge him to join in and support the Democratic party. Van Buren also had to stave off personal attacks including accusations of being an abolitionist. "These charges were unfounded; as in earlier campaigns, Van Buren was too intent on keeping the support of the southern planters to say anything about slavery. To reassure his critics he denied that the federal government had the authority to interfere with slavery anywhere except in the District of Colombia, and added that no action should be taken there," (6, 270.) As vice president, Van Buren presided over the Senate. Here his enemies engineered tie votes that he would have to break. Their goal was to make Van Buren look bad or get into a position that he could not help stepping upon the toes of some of his supporters. Another divisive issue was the bank. A split in the Democratic party over currency and other banking issues came to a head in 1835; the radicals insisted that Van Buren should support them. "On the subject of banks and paper money, he {Van Buren} answered by referring to his earlier statements. Declaring Van Buren's answer "evasive" and "unsatisfactory," the Locos decided to endorse no one in the election," (6, 275.) Van Buren maintained some of the leaders who were involved but the group refused to name him as their candidate. Van Buren was quite active during the campaign writing letters. "Van Buren's public role in the campaign was limited mainly to letters written by himself or close associates in response to queries about his past record and present views," (4, 18.) Van Buren tried to appease Southerners as much as possible. "In a letter that was widely reprinted, he made this position clear: "I must go into the presidential chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent of any attempt on the part of Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia, against the wishes of the

The matter of Importance of United States Elections. (1969, December 31). In DirectEssays.com. Retrieved 16:11, May 21, 2013, from http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/97005.html

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