A history of the 1844 Presidential Election
BillJones
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For most months I write and article for my local club's newsletter. Once used, I don't have another outlet for them so a I sometimes post them here. This long for a post, but I hope you enjoy it
Manifest Destiny! That slogan might seem foreign to modern ears, but in the mid to late 1840s it was on the minds a majority of American voters and many of those had yet to gain the right to vote, which included women and minorities. The slogan advanced the concept that the United States was destined to become an empire that would stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. It was coined by editor John L. O’Sullivan in the United States Magazine and Democratic Review. The issue ruined the political careers two veteran American politicians and pulled the career of another from the brink of political oblivion to White House.
This chain of events began in 1836 when Texas won its independence from Mexico. Texas became an independent nation, but many of its residences wanted to become a part of the United States. That presented a problem because of slavery. The admission of Texas as a slave state brought up the thorny question of the political balance between the number of states that allowed and prohibited the South’s “peculiar institution.” The situation became even more complicated when some southerners advocated splitting Texas up into as many as five states.
At the beginning of the 1844 presidential election cycle, the leading contenders for their party’s nominations were Henry Clay for the Whigs and Martin Van Buren for the Democrats. Although the Whigs had won the 1840 presidential election, the winner, William Henry Harrison, had died after only month in office. His successor, John Tyler, had so alienated the party with his two vetoes of bills that would have restored the Bank of the United States, that few Whig Party members supported him. Tyler hoped that the Democrats would give him their presidential nomination. The “party of Jackson” wanted no part of a man who had left them to join the Whigs because of his distaste for the former president. That opened up the race for Henry Clay, who had long been the heart and soul of the Whig movement.
An 1840 Martin Van Buren campaign token
Van Buren had lost his bid for re-election in 1840, and was looking forward to returning the White House. The Panic of 1837, which had driven him from office, had ended by 1844, and he believed that his populist message of support for yeoman farmers and city workers would resonate with the voters once again. Van Buren had a lot of support within the Democratic Party, but his backers were not enthusiastic. They were ready to bolt if a more attractive candidate arose from the crowd.
Many Americans had seen opportunities for economic growth that went beyond Van Buren’s egalitarian, farmer and wage earner message. They wanted to become rich, or at least more better off than they had been. There seemed to be more opportunities for them if The United States expanded its borders westward.
The problem of Texas statehood remained for both frontrunners. Van Buren opposed it, which instantly got him in trouble with the southern delegates to the Democratic convention. By then the southerners were suspicious of any politician who didn’t support the spread of slavery without reservations. At the 1844 Democratic Party National Convention, Van Buren led on the first ballot but failed to get the two-thirds majority which the party rules required for the nomination. Van Buren’s support slipped away to other candidates, including Lewis Cass who would win the nomination in 1848 and James Buchanan who won the prize in 1856.
James K. Polk’s supporters had been positioning him for the vice-presidential nomination. As the other candidates faded in the convention voting, interest in Polk increased, especially when he got an endorsement from former president, Andrew Jackson. He received his first votes on the eighth ballot and won the nomination on the ninth.
Polk was a dark horse candidate because no one thought that he would have chance for the top prize when the convention opened. Although Polk had been Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, he had lost consecutive runs for Governor of Tennessee and appeared to be washed up politically.
The delegates selected George M. Dallas as Polk’s running mate. Although Dallas had severed briefly in the United States Senate and as mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, most of his experience had been in the diplomatic corp. As a young man, he had been a private secretary to Albert Gallatin when he was Minister to Russia in 1813. Dallas had also been an Envoy to Russia during the Van Buren administration. Later he serviced as Envoy to Great Britain from 1856 to 1861. Today he is best remembered as the man for whom Dallas, Texas is named.
The Whigs nominated Henry Clay for president by acclimation. The annexation issue was not mentioned in the party platform, and almost nothing was said about Texas at the convention. In place of a discussion of the issues, Whigs hoped to cheer, march and sing their way toward another campaign, which would be like the almost issueless crusade that had brought them victory in 1840.
For the second spot on the ticket, the Whigs nominated Theodore Frelinghuysen of New Jersey. Frelinghuysen, who had served one term in the Senate from 1829 to 1835, brought geographic balance to the ticket. More importantly to some, his leadership positions in several non-sectarian religious groups gave the Whig campaign an image of morality. Later Frelinghuysen would be a strong advocate for the end of slavery.
For Clay, 1844 marked his third attempt in the final round of the presidential sweepstakes. He had first run in 1824 when he had finished last among four candidates. He had been the Whig candidate again in 1832 when he had based his campaign upon obtaining a new charter for the Bank of the United States. He lost to Andrew Jackson. During all of the other election cycles, except 1828 when John Quincy Adams had been running for re-election, Clay had been “available” if his party had called upon him.
A Presidential Campaign Without Active Presidential Candidates
As was the custom of the times, neither Clay nor Polk campaigned actively. Like George Washington, presidential candidates “waited” to asked to take the presidency. It was considered to be poor form to campaign for president actively, but if it was offered, it was one’s duty to accept it. The vice-presidential candidates and surrogate speakers represented the presidential candidates at rallies and political events. In the meantime, only those who were naive to the ways of politics could have believed that the presidential candidates were not involved with their campaigns behind the scenes.
Polk soft peddled some issues, but he did take a stand on Texas statehood. He favored it, and he joined the “54-40 or fight!” faction over the settlement of the Oregon border. Since the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804 – 6, Americans had begun to settle the northwest territories that are now in the area of Oregon and Washington State. The British also had a foothold in the area, but the Americans outnumbered them.
By 1844 those Americans were looking for a boundary between the American and British territories. The most militant Americans wanted the boundary to be at latitude 54 degrees, 40 seconds, which placed it just south of Alaska, which was a Russian territory at that time. As their slogan implied, they were ready to rattle sabers over the issue. The British wanted the boundary to be at 42 degrees, which was over 1,000 miles south of the American claim. Polk supported the militants which added to his American expansionist coalition.
Clay Changes His Stance
At the beginning of the presidential race, some Whigs posed the question, “Who is Polk?” which reflected their belief that he was almost an unknown candidate. As the race continued, Henry Clay sensed that the expansionist mood had gained considerable traction with the voters. Finally Clay endorsed statehood for Texas, but that change in position got him into political trouble.
In the South his attempts to straddle the issue destroyed their trust in him. In the North, the anti-slavery Whigs were disappointed in his new position. Clay pleased no one, which cost him dearly.
A Close Election, Probably Determined by a Third Party Vote
The election produced a close result. On the surface, Polk appeared to have won by a wide margin with 170 electoral votes to Clay’s total of 105, but that those numbers were deceiving. The popular vote was close with Polk receiving 50% and Clay 48%. The key to the election was New York State with its critical 36 votes in the Electoral College. If Clay had won New York, he would have been elected president.
Clay lost of the Empire State by 5,106 votes, which was less than a 1% margin. Liberty Party candidate, James Birney, received almost 16,000 votes. If he had not been a factor in the race, Clay might well have carried state. Most of Birney’s voters were abolitionists who would have preferred Clay’s more moderate approach to adding more slave states to the Union. When Clay switched his position on Texas, he lost many of those voters. Conversely Clay’s late turn toward Texas statehood did him little good in the South. He lost all of the states in the deep south, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina in addition to Virginia.
For Clay it was a bitter pill. He had spent his entire political life running for president. Now he had lost in his final bid for the Whitehouse to a comparative political unknown who had not even been in the running for his party’s nomination at the beginning of the election cycle.
A Survey of 1844 Presidential Campaign Tokens
All James K. Polk political campaign tokens are scarce to rare. The reason for this was that the Democrats heaped scorn in their platform on campaign tokens as “factitious symbols” and “displays and appeals insulting to the judgement and subversive to the intellect of the people.” This position was a reaction to the flood of campaign tokens and other knickknacks the Whigs had issued during their “log cabin and hard cider campaign” that had gotten William Henry Harrison elected in 1840.
A William Henry Harrison 1840 "log cabin and hard cider campaign" token
The Polk "Press onward" token
The most interesting of the Polk pieces is listed in the DeWitt/Sullivan guide as JP 1844-3. The obverse features a portrait of Polk with the slogan, “Press onward – enlarge the boundaries of freedom / young hickory.” The first part of the slogan was call for the expansion of United State territory to the west and the annexation of Texas. “Young hickory” tied Polk to Andrew Jackson who was known as “old hickory.” The reverse features a portrait of Polk’s running mate, George Dallas and the slogan, “Equal protection to all classes.” This token is quite rare with perhaps less than 40 pieces known.
Another even rarer token addresses the issue of Texas statehood. It features a profile of Polk on the obverse surrounded by his name, “James K. Polk.” The reverse features an Andrew Jackson style hickory pole with a large Texas star in the middle of it. This image is surrounded by rays. The slogan around the edge reads, “Polk, Dallas, Texas. This token is 27mm in diameter and is listed in DeWitt/Sullivan as JP 1844-5. It is exceedingly rare with perhaps fewer than 25 pieces known.
A Clay "American System" campaign medal
The Clay campaign issued far more pieces, and most collectors will have little trouble adding an 1844 Henry Clay medalet to their sets. A continuing theme on some Clay pieces displayed sailing ships and factories with smoke belching out their chimneys. This symbolized Clay’s “American System” of protective tariffs and internal improvements, like roads and bridges, which he claimed would bolster commerce and wealth.
"Our flag trampled upon"
Another Clay medalet advocated a less positive position. It featured Clay holding a tattered American flag with the phrase, “Our flag trampled upon.” The reverse featured an American eagle with the slogan, “Americans beware of foreign influence.” This was an early outcropping of anti-immigrant sentiment that would become more prevalent over the next decade and a half. This prejudice would blossom into the American or “Know-nothing” Party in the 1850s.
The Polk Presidency Is Still Controversial
Despite the fact the James K. Polk left office almost 170 years ago, historians disagree sharply over the merits of his presidency. There can be no question that Polk accomplished a great deal during his single, four year term in office. Here are the major highlights:
• He completed the annexation of Texas as the 28th state in the union.
• He settled the boundary between the British and Oregon Territories. That boundary is now the border between Washington State and Canada.
• His administration succeeded in lowering the tariffs between the United States and Great Britain. This greatly increased trade between the two countries which benefited the wage earners in both nations.
• His administration fought and won a war with Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, completed in February 1848 greatly expanded U.S. territory. In exchange for a payment of $15 million, the U.S. acquired all or part of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.
Polk’s war with Mexico is the most controversial aspect of his presidency. When historian, Arthur Schlesinger, conducted his poll of historians in 1962, they ranked Polk as a “near great president.” Today some historians characterize him as an outlaw president who intentionally started a war with Mexico with the express purpose of taking its territory in an imperialist land grab.
The fact that Polk was looking for a provocation to start the Mexican War cannot be denied. From a nationalistic point of view, however, what would the United States have become had it not gained control of that vital part of our nation? In her book, A Wicked War, historian Amy S. Greenberg claimed that the United States would have subsequently acquired the lands gained from the Mexican War by peaceful means. The problem with her assertion is that she provides no evidence to back that claim.
Given the fights for freedom in the 20th century, which included World War II and the Cold War, it could be argued that the world might be a very different place had there not been a strong United States of America to tip the balance. I believe that the Mexican War was fought under false pretenses, but it is hard to argue that the world has not benefited from the results.
Comments
Great article Bill.
What a great write Bill. I don’t believe I have seen the first one posted before.
I’m really digging the reverse, reminds me of the eagle on the 1837 HT Half cent. Just facing opposite .
I always liked the Henry clay reverse.
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Thanks Bill. It is posts like this that make this a useful forum.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
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Well done! Thanks!
According Joe Levine, that Van Buren token is quite rare. Smith also issued one for Harrison, but I will have post that one tomorrow.
Polk asked for one term and did not run for reelection. Gotta admire that despite your feelings about him.
Well done. Thank you.
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I wonder how rare? Prolly none that haven’t been holed.. I know that with politicals many are only available
holed for suspension but it bothers me so.
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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Thanks for posting this article. Very interesting.
Complete Set of Chopmarked Trade Dollars
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Good Stuff, Grab your Coffee
Steve
Excellent historical piece Bill...Thank you.... Cheers, RickO
A very enjoyable read. Well done! Thanks for posting it.
Here is the piece for William Henry Harrison that is the companion to the Van Buren medalet that I cited in my article. In the world of political items, it was common practice for a token or button maker to issues pieces for the both sides. Often the style of both pieces was similar, which makes them more interesting as collectors’ items.
It is interesting to note that the reverse of this piece was used again in 1888 when William Henry Harrison's grandson, Benjamin Harrison, successfully ran for president. The obverse of this piece notes that connection.
There are advanced collectors of political pieces who prefer the items that have a hole. It indicates that the piece may have been made for and perhaps used in the campaign as opposed to the pieces without the hole which may have been stuck after the election for collectors. This is one of the reason why I generally do not like the pieces that are made of silver when the same variety is available in copper, brass or white metal. The chances that the silver piece was used in the campaingn are not good unless it was made to satisfy some big whig who was major contributor or supporter.
@BillJones I never knew that there was an outside chance of the non holed would have been in the campaign.
I tend to agree with you as I don't see that happening unless for a big contributor as you said.
Thanks again
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Those medals are a real treasure. So are you.
1840 William Harrison Political Campaign Hard Times Token Log Cabin HT-815D1 Here is one I have hidden away, I think its about the same era.
Great write up, Bill!
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Now my coinspiracy theory thinking mind wonders if the screwy 1844 election had something to do with the 1844 Orphan Annie dimes?
Awesome! I really enjoy your historical pieces, Bill... so detailed and well written. Thanks for posting!