Friday, March 20, 2009

Andrew Jackson = Millard Fillmore?


The great historian David M. Potter famously characterized the Compromise of 1850 as an "armistice" rather than a "compromise" because few legislators voted in favor of all of its components. Most historians -- but not all -- have embraced this conclusion.

Harry L. Watson suggests that the same debate might be had concerning the resolution of the Nullification Crisis (emphasis added):
The compromise tariff bill won the support of a coalition of low-tariff supporters and moderately protectionist congressmen, while the Force Bill passed with the votes of National Republicans and Northern Jacksonians. Few congressmen voted for both measures, but Jackson signed the two of them into law on March 2, 1833.

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