| Henry Clay of Kentucky, the youngest Speaker of the House in history, and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina led this faction of the Republican Party (with no connection to the current GOP.) They used every opportunity to demand that President Madison declare war on Great Britain in our “Second war of Independence.” This would be the first time that America would declare on a foreign country.In contrast, the “Doves” came from the Federalist Party. They hailed from the New England states and made their livelihood in the shipping industry. Led by Daniel Webster of New Hampshire, they opposed the prospect of war just as bitterly. They feared a war would decimate their economy just like the earlier unsuccessful embargo imposed by former President Jefferson and James Madison as his Secretary of State. When war was finally declared, it passed by the slimmest margin in history without one Federalist vote in favor. The Doves closed their shops and schools, hung their flags at half-mast, and tolled funeral bells. In sharp contrast, the War Hawks and fellow Republicans hosted parades, shot fireworks, and cheered in the streets. Ready or not, the war was on! |
