To a man of intellect far lower than that of Martin Van Buren, it must have been obvious that forces were at work in the minds and hearts of people which could not be controlled by Regency edicts or party traditions.
Alexander critiques the political environment of his time, emphasizing the influence of public sentiment over party control.
Share
More from De Alexander
Perhaps, on the whole, nothing in Van Buren's official life showed greater political courage or discernment.
He saw the importance of devoting the resources of the State to the reduction of its debt.
People were getting tired of bold action without achievement in the field, and every opponent of the Administration became a threnodist.
If Joel Weed lived as a beggar, Thurlow thought as a king.
Other voices in this conversation
