Date sent:        Mon, 29 Apr 1996 02:16:27 -0500


MANIFEST DESTINY
and
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

 The Democratic party headed by President James K. Polk is manipulating the populous of the
United States.  President Polk, like his Democratic predecessor, is claiming to be a
defender of all common men.  However, this is only his public front.  He is actually
controlling the system to ascertain personal wealth and political power.  He then warrants
his actions by preaching John L. Sullivan's concept of Manifest Destiny.  It has been known
since the beginning of the 1840's that the United States is prepared to begin expanding into
Texas and further westward.  The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 has kept these "Ripe Fruits"
waiting for the United States to harvest.  President Polk's Mexico policy is abusive against
Mexicans, Native Americans, and is irrational considering Mexico's feeble position.  His
personal political agenda is not in cadence with the fundamental principles that the United
States is based on.  Let it not be forgotten that expansion of this great Union is
imperative to its survival.
 The Democratic party has always catered to the emotions of the United States citizens. 
 During the 
1820's the method of choosing presidential electors became public thus, the choosing of a
President was more in the hands of the populous of this Union.  Between the years of 1800
and 1828, twelve states in the union changed to having no property requirements for voting
thus, from the election of 1824 to 1828, the number of people who voted increased three
fold.  The democratic party, president Jackson in particular, exploited this change in the 
public's active participation.  Jackson's campaign was designed to be appealing to the
working man and the lower classes, such as shopkeepers, farmers and small merchants.  The
attraction to him was illustrated by the "rise of the common man".  Jackson stated that he
feared a strong central government because it could become a tyranny.  However, while he was
in power he purposefully strengthened the executive's powers.  Thus, he was able to abuse
his power without opposition.  He did increase the executive's power by exercising his right
to veto bills he personally disliked.  Jackson, although deceitful and over bearing, knew
not to annex Texas.  Because at that time, this country and its people could not have
afforded or supported another war.  One reason why it would not have been supported by the
people is because, expansion was still  thought to cause republics to fall.
 John Louis O'Sullivan's concept of Manifest Destiny describes the United States as spanning
 from 
sea to shinning sea.  This was written by O'Sullivan in a editorial that was meant to
support the annexation of Texas.  His editorial spread a fever of nationalism throughout the
people within this country.  O'Sullivan's idea portrays this Union's expansion as being its
inevitable nemesis, blessed by god.  Manifest Destiny supports the belief that for the
United States to succeed it must spread Republicanism and expand its territories.   His
original belief of Manifest Destiny has no evil intentions to it.  It is only since
President Polk has been using it that Manifest Destiny's purpose is anything more then its
face value.  Polk is using Manifest Destiny to shield himself from his own actions.  
 The Democratic party is using Manifest Destiny to change the public's perception of
 expansion.  
During the 1830's it was believed that expansion would cause the union to fall apart. 
Manifest Destiny has changed this and is know increasing nationalism and support for
expansion across the Union.  The ways in which the democratic party is pushing new
territories is not in line with the basic principles of the United States.  The Democratic
party, unlike the Whig party, does not advocate the tolerance of other races and, is using
Manifest Destiny to cloak its actions from the American people.  The oppression of Indians
by killing them, and pushing them off their Native land for economic and political gain does
not attract allot of public support.   However, our President is justifying these actions
with the concept of Manifest Destiny.  President Polk is using Manifest Destiny as an
absolute truth with no moral obligation to mankind. 
 Contrary to the Democratic party the Whig party offers a more democratic version of
 Manifest 
Destiny.  Whigs favor a more humanitarian way of expansion.  Unlike president Polk, Whigs
support public schools, the abolition of capital punishment and asylum reform.  The Whig
party does not try and keep its supporters ignorant, because they were being denied public
education.  .         
 President Polk's Mexico policy is based on his views towards the external and internal
 forces acting 
upon the United States.  Externally Polk is hoping to spark a war between the United States
and Mexico.  He wants this because he knows the United States will conquer Mexico.  This
would then put him in the position to negotiate a deal that would take away all land that
president Polk felt we needed. The war would also internationally increase the United States
power.  Polk could  then ask for the California territory which is another one of his
campaign goals.  Internally Polk desires to annex Texas into the Union, so that it may
become a slave state.  This would also create a balance of Congressional power between the
North and South.  Texas becoming a slave state is important to him because it was the main
reason why he got elected President.  However he equally realizes that some places out west
slaves were not going to be needed as much.  This is a very delicate situation because Polk
knows that all his actions, no matter how unreasonable, will be accepted by the populous and
dismissed as the counties Manifest Destiny.
 President Polk is using his powers to carry out his and many of his more important
 democratic 
voters racial prejudices.  President Polk, a slave holder, has his own intentions for what
is going to be in store for the lands newly acquired by the United States.  Proof that much
of Polk's purpose is racially driven is seen in the different way he treats our northern
partner.  Polk rapidly agreed to a treaty about the lands found in Oregon.  Since the
British are Angelo - Saxons, such as Polk, he considers them actual human beings.  The other
major reason why he expediently signed a treaty is because that territory could not have
been a slave state thus, it is of less importance to him.  On the other hand what makes
Texas and California so significant to Polk and his campaign is that the two areas could
possibly become slave states.  By accepting these two states into the Union as slave states
the balance between slave states and none slave states would be greatly unequal.  This is
what Polk was hoping to do, even though it is not in this countries best interest.  
 The Whig party finds Polk's policy on Mexico absolutely appalling.  This party knows that
 if the 
United States just keeps a little pressure upon Mexico they are in such dyer striates they
will concede.  There is absolutely no reason for why the United States and Mexico need to go
to war.  The Whig party and the Democratic parties agree that it is essential to expand the
Union.  Externally it is important so that European powers, particularly France and England,
do not gain control over land rightfully belonging to the United States.  Whigs, Democrats,
North and South all agree that to sustain individual liberties the union must expand.  James
Madison's assumption that as this Union expands it would gain stability holds true even to
this day.

Name: dest.txt
