Whig Party

 

Position as defined by Henry Clay:

     anti-”monarchy” or executive encroachment

     preservation of liberties

     seek to limit or redefine the veto power

     over-ride of a veto should only be by majority

     Congress ought to control the treasury

    

General Philosophy:

     economic protectionism (protective tariff)

     economy in governmental functions (scale it down to

           necessary)

     federal money for internal improvements (roads and

           canals)

     leave slavery alone

     pro-National Bank

     opposed to immorality, vice and crime (often blamed

           on immigrants)

 

Who Supported them?

     New Englanders

     mid-Atlantic and upper Middle Western states

     Protestants of old English stock

     middle-class urban professionals

 

Who Were Some Prominent Whigs?

     Daniel Webster

     Henry Clay

     William Henry Harrison (elected in 1840)

     Zachary Taylor (elected 1848)