Zachary Taylor’s Goal as President: Heal the Nation by Reducing Sectional Bitterness

In 1848, the Whigs sought a candidate that would have national appeal and fixed their attention on Taylor. They looked to him because his long military record would appeal to northerners, while his ownership of slaves would lure southern votes. The potential candidate, however, was not enthused about running and would only accept the nomination if he was convinced it was at the call of the country. On June 9, the Whig convention made that call and nominated him. Taylor’s campaign reflected his insistence that principle would prevail over politics, and his intention to seek sectional reconciliation on a national basis rather than favor any particular region. As his biographer K. Jack Bauer states, “Taylor viewed himself as a non-partisan figure attracting support from all parties.” His Democratic opponent, Lewis Cass, favored letting the residents of territories decide for themselves whether they wanted slavery, which in practice was a pro-southern position.

Letter Signed, Baton Rouge, La, July 19, 1848, to William N. Hunnewell of Boston, saying that he has no ambition to be president, but expressing his goal, if called upon, to overcome the divisiveness rending the antebellum United States asunder. “I have the pleasure to receive your very fine congratulatory favor of the 28th ulto and I thank you most truly for your good opinion, which, whether elected or not, whether in an exalted or humble sphere, I hope to merit. The office of the Presidency is not desirable to me farther than as it is in the wish and will of the people, and it is this far before any other consideration which has disposed me to yield to the movement in my favor. You are right in saying that the emolument of the office is small, and if, in case I should be elected, I could retire from office without being bankrupt, and yet more if I can be instrumental in moderating to some extent the bitterness of party and political asperity, I should consider myself more than fortunate.”

When Taylor took office in 1849, the pressing issue was the extension of slavery into the territories newly conquered from Mexico. He thought nationally rather than sectionally, and opposed the proposed Compromise of 1850, which he saw as opening up partisan competition to settle and control the territories, leading the nation into constant agitation and danger. Under his plan, Taylor urged settlers in New Mexico and California to draft constitutions and apply for statehood immediately, bypassing the territorial stage altogether. This would save years of further bitter controversy and satisfy opponents of the expansion of slavery, since neither state constitution would be likely to permit that institution. Taylor was a slave owner and believed that southerners whose position on slavery was less extreme could be brought along with him.