John Quincy Adams National Republican Andrew Jackson Democratic Presidential elections were held in the United States from October 31 to December 2, 1828.
Historians debate the significance of the election, with many arguing that it marked the beginning of modern American politics by removing key barriers to voter participation and establishing a stable two-party system.
Jackson and his followers promptly accused Clay and Adams of striking a "corrupt bargain," and continued to lambaste the president until the 1828 election.
[10] Congressional opponents of Adams, including former William H. Crawford supporter Martin Van Buren, rallied around Jackson's candidacy.
[3] Calhoun's stance on the removal of Native Americans was not accepted by the Georgian electors who instead voted for William Smith.
"[17] The National Republicans were significantly less organized than the Democrats, and many party leaders did not embrace the new era of popular campaigning.
Adams chose Secretary of the Treasury Richard Rush, a Pennsylvanian known for his protectionist views, as his running mate.
Almost every day long lines of men could be seen marching after the fife and drum and led by some officer that had served in the war of 1812.
Charles Hammond, in his Cincinnati Gazette, asked: "Ought a convicted adulteress and her paramour husband be placed in the highest offices of this free and Christian land?
Jackson's campaign did major spin control and manufactured a false timeline, convinced friends in Natchez to vouch for the retcon, and offered a semi-plausible "they were confused about divorce law" excuse to paper over the irregular marriage.
[23][24] Jackson was also charged with being an "adulterer, a gambler, a cockfighter, a bigamist, a Negro trader, drunkard, a murderer, a thief and a liar.
The billiard table was Adams' personal property; a bill for repairing it had been accidentally included in the White House expense accounts.
That said the list of violent incidents involving Andrew Jackson began with his arrival in Tennessee in the 1780s and continued apace for years.
As historian J. M. Opal put it, "[Jackson's] willingness to kill, assault, or threaten people was a constant theme in his adult life and a central component of the reputation he cultivated.
"[33]: 70 Ezra Stiles Ely attacked Adams' Unitarian beliefs and called for Christians to vote for Jackson.
Jackson wrote that a lavish government combined with contempt of the constituents could lead to despotism, if not checked by the "voice of the people."
Thomas Jefferson wrote favorably in response to Jackson in December 1823 and extended an invitation to his estate of Monticello: "I recall with pleasure the remembrance of our joint labors while in the Senate together in times of great trial and of hard battling, battles indeed of words, not of blood, as those you have since fought so much for your own glory & that of your country; with the assurance that my attempts continue undiminished, accept that of my great respect & consideration.
"[36] In the next election, Jackson's and Adams's supporters saw value in establishing the opinion of Jefferson in regards to their respective candidates and against their opposition.
"[37] Edward Coles recounted that Jefferson told him in a conversation in August 1825 that he feared the popular enthusiasm for Jackson: "It has caused me to doubt more than anything that has occurred since our Revolution."
Webster recorded that Jefferson told him in December 1824 that Jackson was a dangerous man unfit for the presidency.
[37] Randolph publicly stated that Jefferson became friendly to Jackson's candidacy as early as the summer of 1825, perhaps because of the "corrupt bargain" charge, and thought of Jackson as "an honest, sincere, clear-headed and strong-minded man; of the soundest political principles" and "the only hope left" to reverse the increasing powers assumed by the federal government.
[37] In 1827, Virginia Governor William B. Giles released a letter from Jefferson meant to be kept private to Thomas Ritchie's Richmond Enquirer.
It was written after Adams's first annual message to Congress and it contained an attack from Jefferson on the incumbent administration.
"[37] Jefferson wrote, "take together the decisions of the federal court, the doctrines of the President, and the misconstructions of the constitutional compact acted on by the legislature of the federal bench, and it is but too evident, that the three ruling branches of that department are in combination to strip their colleagues, the State authorities, of the powers reserved by them, and to exercise themselves all functions foreign and domestic."
Of the Federalists, he continued, "But this opens with a vast accession of strength from their younger recruits, who, having nothing in them of the feelings or principles of '76, now look to a single and splendid government of an aristocracy, founded on banking institutions, and moneyed incorporations under the guise and cloak of their favored branches of manufactures, commerce, and navigation, riding and ruling over the plundered plowman and beggared yeomanry.
On the day of the electoral election I was at Muddy Creek, at which place Adams received 4 votes, from John Rutherford, myself, William Alexander and — Bedford.
Adams received something like 200 in this county, but it appears from undubitable authority that the "Hero" will succeed; if so, I will, I must, submit to a greater power.
Col. Carson planted a hickory pole on the ground that day, and intends to keep it alive by pouring whiskey on its roots.
Gen. Jackson was first started on the electioneering campaign as a tool to answer some purpose intented by his anti-supporters, but after canvassing the business up to the present date it appears that he is the spectacle of the people.
After the inauguration, a mob entered the White House to shake the new president's hand, damaging the furniture and lights.