Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2015 What Shadows We Pursue: Death, Democracy, and Disunion in Antebellum America Joseph M. Rizzo Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Rizzo, Joseph M., "What Shadows We Pursue: Death, Democracy, and Disunion in Antebellum America" (2015). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 6510. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/6510 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in WVU Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports collection by an authorized administrator of The Research Repository @ WVU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. What Shadows We Pursue: Death, Democracy, and Disunion in Antebellum America Joseph M. Rizzo Dissertation submitted to the Eberly College of Arts & Sciences at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of History Brian Luskey, Ph.D., Chair Jason Phillips, Ph.D. Ken Fones-Wolf, Ph.D. Melissa Bingmann, Ph.D. Aaron Sheehan-Dean, Ph.D Department of History Morgantown, West Virginia 2015 Keywords: Eulogy; Democracy; Memory; Political Culture Copyright 2015 Joseph Rizzo ABSTRACT What Shadows We Pursue: Death, Democracy, and Disunion in Antebellum America Joseph M. Rizzo This dissertation examines the ways Americans registered concerns about antebellum democratic political culture through their mourning of national leaders. A “eulogizing class” consisting of clergymen, politicians, lawyers, and educators was especially prominent in shaping how contemporaries remembered the dead. As a class, the eulogists were conflicted about democracy and partisanship, and conveyed their concerns through the potentially demagogic form of the eulogy—the practice of glorifying the “great man.” Through an examination of eulogies, sermons, and newspaper editorials after the deaths of William Henry Harrison, Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, John Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster, this dissertation reveals the tensions inherent in the cultural act of eulogy. Eulogists crafted a cultural narrative that promoted republican virtue and antidemocratic ideals and sought to convince their audiences—“the people” in democratic parlance—to reject a highly partisan democratic political culture. And yet, they realized that they could only communicate their antidemocratic beliefs through the means of democratic political culture, and their efforts illuminate how eulogists helped to shape democratic politics in antebellum America. Eulogists nostalgically looked backward to past political events in order to shape conversations about presidential elections and the political controversies of the day. During the secession crisis, Americans continued this trend, mourning the death of the nation by turning nostalgically toward the republican past as they sought the surest way to protect and promote their vision for the nation’s future. However, eulogists mourning for the Union also showed greater acceptance of democracy and urged their listeners to act in virtuous ways. ACKNOWLDGEMENTS! ! I was cautioned when I began working on this dissertation that it could be a lonely and frustrating process. In many ways, that warning proved accurate. However, the last five years have shown me that no one can complete such a project without support from many people. This dissertation has benefited from a number of colleagues, friends, and family members who helped make its completion possible with their advice, patience, and encouragement. No words can fully convey my gratitude for all of those who helped in numerous ways. This project started as a seminar paper in Dr. Brian Luskey’s antebellum America course at West Virginia University in 2009. His advice and enthusiasm for the topic and my potential as a historian convinced me to stay at WVU for my doctorate. He has gone above and beyond the duties of an advisor while I have been in the program. I greatly appreciate his willingness to look over drafts or discuss the various challenges that emerged during the process, and I would not have been able to finish this project without his guidance. He helped this dissertation in immeasurable ways, with both refining its argument and improving its prose. I could not have asked for a better mentor throughout graduate school. I am also lucky to have had Dr. Melissa Bingmann’s friendship and mentorship throughout my time in graduate school. Melissa’s expertise and passion for public history has shaped me into the historian I am today. She is a terrific historian, mentor, and friend. Dr. Jason Phillips, Dr. Aaron Sheehan-Dean, and Dr. Ken Fones- Wolf have also brought their expertise to this project. Each showed interest in my research and a constant willingness assist with any of the challenges along the way. I am grateful to have had such a tremendous committee. ! iii! I have had the privilege of meeting some great people during my time at WVU. Brandon Williams, Cara Snider, David Goldberg, and Lauren Thompson have helped me grow as a scholar and person in many ways. They have given me many great memories from my time in Morgantown and I am certain more to come in the future. Josh and Karina Esposito have also provided a tremendous amount of support. It would be hard to imagine surviving the rigors of the writing process without their friendship and frequent trips to Varsity Club. I would also like to thank Joel Christenson, Adam Zucconi, and Jake Ivey for always offering their assistance (and for discussing football). Sabre Wood provided much needed encouragement and support. Her faith in my ability to finish this project was a true inspiration. Jason and Lindsey Hedrick, Angie Sirna, and Jamie Blake also deserve recognition. I am lucky to have made such good friends during my time in Morgantown. I am thankful to have had lifelong friends provide support while researching and writing. Russell Bermel, Philip Bermel, and John DeCarlo not only are incredible friends, but also offered places to stay while going on research trips over the last few years. Although Augie Lococo and Patrick Occhiuto have (admittedly) minimal knowledge of my research, they nonetheless deserve a great deal of credit for this dissertation. Whether through group messages or weekend trips to get away from writing, they provided me with much needed support. I am truly grateful to have so many great friends. Each has excelled in their respective careers and inspired me to do my best. I would also like to thank my friends at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Working at the park during the summers provided me with excellent experience as a public historian and introduced me to terrific friends and colleagues. In particular, I wish to thank and recognize Hank ! iv! Elliott, Ray Brown, Mandie Sayers, Joe Phillips, and Mike Burns. I look forward to more bonfires at Quarters 9! A family camping trip to Gettysburg sparked my interest in history. Little did Al and Jeanne Kick know that I would force them to take me back to Gettysburg multiple times. Despite having no interest in historic sites, my sister, Julie Lewis, went along (I am certain she complained at the time). Since then, she has provided helpful career advice and encouragement. Ralph and Joan Klicker have always shown interest in and been supportive of my education, and I appreciate their trips to visit me while in graduate school. Of course, I wish to thank my parents. From the beginning, they encouraged me to pursue the career I desired. From an early age, they instilled in me the value of hard work and the confidence to be successful at whatever I chose to study. I would not have made it through school without their love and support, and I would not be the person I am today without them. ! v! Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………………… ii Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………….. iii Chapter 1: Introduction: “The Shadow of It Has Lain Heavily Upon the Land”.…………………. 1 Chapter 2: “It…Corrodes the Vitals of the Body Politic”: Antipartyism and the Remembrance of William Henry Harrison and Andrew Jackson ………………………………………… 19 Chapter 3: “Thought Governs, Not Numbers”: Minority Rights and the Commemoration of John Quincy Adams and John C. Calhoun …………………………………………………. 68 Chapter 4: “The Last Has Been Gathered to the Tomb of His Fathers”: The Memory of the Great Triumvirate and its Influence on 1850s Political Culture……………………………... 116 Chapter 5: “The Blind See It, and the Deaf Hear It”: Sermonizing Secession and the Threats to the Republic……………………………………………………………………………….. 176 Chapter 6: Conclusion:……………………………………………………………………………. 222 Bibliography:………………………………………………………………………….. 229 ! vi! Chapter 1: Introduction “The Shadow of It Has Lain Heavily Upon the Land” In November 1852, Roswell Hitchcock delivered a eulogy for Daniel Webster in front of the students of Bowdoin College. Webster’s death was a terrible loss to the nation, Hitchcock lamented. But it was also a teaching moment: remembering