Chapter 10 Summary

John Quincy Adams, Thomas Hart Benton, Edmund Ross, Sam Houston, George Norris and other political leaders exercised their principles at the expense of their own careers. Senator Albert Beveridge of Indiana felt that by voicing unpopular opinion, the party grew. When politicians voted against their sections, the way Senators Benton and Houston did, they would more likely find their careers ended. Senator Andrew Johnson of Tennessee spoke against his section and he was subsequently beaten. In 1795, Senator Humphrey Marshall, of Kentucky, voted for the Jay Treaty and was beaten by a mob for his vote. He then resigned.

Chapter 10 Analysis

The author lists other men from different branches of government who went against popular opinion to do what they thought was best as elected officials. Their decisions did not please everyone, and they were often vilified in political halls, public media and they...