The lack of any real opposition was of no benefit to the Republican Party, which, indeed, was soon torn by internal divisions. They surfaced strongly in the presidential election of 1824, which also marks the end of the congressional caucus.
The Republican Party was divided around the personalities that should have been Monroe's legacy. More that the programmatic content, the electoral competition was focused on candidates' personalities and the geographical origin of their supporters. The four leading presidential candidates were: Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford, Henry Clay and John Q. Adams, John Calhoun to which is added, which at first seemed willing to run for president and finally content with the vice-presidency. Crawford had the support of Republican members in Congress. His appointment by the congressional caucus was practically a foregone conclusion. I realized that his rivals had little chance of getting the nomination against Crawford. Thus began a campaign to make its own account as early as 1823, long before compared to the caucuses and elections. Of conviction or opportunism, added their names to the list of opponents of the congressional caucus. As their chances of getting the nomination faded, their attacks against the caucus became more direct and frequent.
Adams, who became president in that election, considered the congressional caucus against the spirit of the Constitution and tending to corruption. He was convinced that at that time the majority of the people were completely opposed to the nomination of candidates by congressional caucus. In his diaries he declared that it will refuse to appoint any of the caucus. John C. Calhoun declared that the congressional caucus was "the agency of a few dedicated politicians intrigue." Henry Clay was silent on the issue until rumors that attributing some chance of being appointed. When the games became clear in favor of Crawford, Clay also lashed out against the caucus.
The attack more vigorously against the caucus was not launched by the candidates in competition, but their supporters in all states of the Union. The state parliaments, as the most representative authority after the Congress, they felt entitled to take a stand. The shortcomings of the system of appointment of the presidential candidates will urged to intervene in the political battle, often in support of candidates from their state. For example, in 1823 the parliament of Tennessee, Jackson's home state, passed a resolution to the effect that the congressional caucus was against the spirit of the Constitution and endangering the liberties of the American people. Other resolutions urged members of Congress from Tennessee not to take part in any congressional caucus and call on other EU states to follow that line of conduct. Maryland followed the example first. Officially condemned the caucus and asked his congressional delegation not to participate.
However, at that time did not exist in a system capable of passing the challenged congressional caucus.
The Republican caucus met in February 1824 and appointed Crawford, according to forecasts. Was attended by only 66 of 261 representatives and senators convened. The caucus also approved a final resolution in defense of himself. It reiterated that the caucus was "the best way to collect and concentrate the feelings and wishes of the people of the Union." Also appointed a committee to write an appeal to the people, to express great concern about the damage that a possible break-up of the Republican Party could cause.
rivals Crawford gave for not losers. They argued that the application designated by the caucus reflected only the location of a banquet a few politicians, not the entire nation. The popular resentment against the caucus grew fur-there.
Each alternative candidate to Crawford tried to get its democratic legitimacy by making mention of the Republican caucus state parliaments. The caucus state was the congressional caucus of the same state, the assembly that gathered the representatives and senators in office at the Republican state legislature. Clay was nominated by the caucus of 5 states. Calhoun was appointed by the caucus of South Carolina and Tennessee from Jackson. John Q. Adams was invested by most New England states. Nominations were also promoted by supporters who had gathered in public meetings and conventions spontaneous popular throughout the country.
To reduce the number of contenders in the race, the candidates tried to make deals. Adams offered him the vice presidency to Jackson, who refused. Calhoun resigned to run as president and agreed to support Jackson and run for the vice presidency by his side. Calhoun's candidacy for vice president was also supported by Adams. Other maneuvers were attempted, without success. At the end of the field remained in Crawford, Jackson, Clay and Adams.
elections none of the four contenders won an absolute majority of electors. Andrew Jackson was ranked first, John Q. Adams second, William H. Crawford and Henry Clay the third quarter. According to the Constitution
The end of the congressional caucus coincided with the end of the first party system and the 'era of good feelings. " The congressional caucus system was identified with the period of Republican domination. Did not survive the crushing of that party.
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