The Political Life Of Joseph Dunagan In 1840

Joseph Ellis Dunagan was first elected State Senator in Georgia in 1825 representing Gainesville-Hall County district in Georgia, meeting in the State Legislature when the state capitol was Millegeville, Georgia. He was elected 23 consecutive years for this office. He also served at different times during this period as a Superior Court Judge.

Historical Overview:

After the debacle of the one-party presidential campaign of 1824, a new two-party system began to emerge. Strong public reaction to perceived corruption in the vote in the House of Representatives, as well as the popularity of Andrew Jackson, allowed Martin Van Buren to organize a Democratic Party that resurrected a Jeffersonian philosophy of minimalism in the federal government. This new party opposed the tendencies of National Republicans such as John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to invest more power in the federal government. Van Buren built a political machine to support Jackson in the 1828 election. Van Buren's skills helped give the Democrats a head start on modern-style campaigning and a clear advantage in organization. The Democrats and Jackson defeated the National Republicans in 1828 and 1832 and maintained their hold on the presidency when they bested the Whigs—a union of former National Republicans, Antimasons, and some states' rights advocates—in 1836. But a major economic depression in 1837 finally gave the Whigs their best chance to occupy the White House. They faced Andrew Jackson's political organizer, vice president, and handpicked successor, President Martin Van Buren, vying for a second term in the midst of hard times.

As they prepared for the election of 1840, both Democrats and Whigs were organized for campaigning on a national scale. Joseph Dunagan in 1840 strongly opposed the election of the Whig candidate, William Henry Harrison, and became Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hall. At a meeting of delegates in 1840 he drafted a position paper on the election and attacked Harrison for standing for the old, worn out Federalist ideas such as the Bank of the United States and internal improvements, and placed himself and the other delegates at the meeting squarely in the Jeffersonian mold of strict construction of the Constitution. Joseph Ellils Dunagan was known as a strict Constitutional Conservative.

Below is the position paper he wrote and signed as Chairman of the party:

It being an unalienable right, as well as the duty of the citizens of this Republic, to assemble and consult in relation to any matters, affecting their general or local interests, and freely to express their views on men and measures--the correct policy of the Government in conformity to the Convention thereof; and as the "price of liberty is eternal vigilance," and as Republicans devoted to the principles illustrated in the life and writings of Thomas Jefferson. And viewing with indignation and surprise, the attempt now being made to hasten upon the country, the Federal doctrines of the "black cockade" administration of the elder Adams, the blue light doctrines of the younger Adams, the Jacobinical doctrines of Slade, Garrison, Tappan and other doctrines equally subversive of the Constitution, are dangerous to the peace and equality of our citizens.

Be it therfore Resolved, That we are in support of a strict construction of the Constitution of the United States--that the assumption or exercise by Congress, or any other Department of government, of any power or authority not expressly granted, is a high-handed...usurpation, dangerous to the liberties of the people.

Resolved, That the chartering of the United States Bank--the fanatical interference with domestic institutions of slavery--the appropriation of money for works of internal government--a tariff for protection--the assumption of State debts by the general government--appropriating the public revenue for the purpose of emancipation--may be legitimately listed (?) among the many federal sins of past and present times, alike violative, of the Constitution--destructive to the tranquility of our citizens--and endangering the perpetuity of our institutions.

Resolved, As the deliberate sense of this gathering, that William Henry Harrison, as well as a large majority of his supporters have held and do now maintain, most if not all of the heretical opinions and principles above enumerated.

Resolved, That William Henry Harrision, by refusing to answer questions propounded to him by his fellow citizens, involving their vital interest, has added one more federal sin to the already long black catalogue--and the keepers of his conscience and opinions, have for the first time in this country, openly proclaimed the Monarchial doctrine, "that the king can do no wrong."

Resolved, That the high, chivalrous and independent stand taken, and the pure republican principles advocated by those of our present delegation in Congress, Messrs. Black, Cooper and Colquitt, entitle them to the confidence and support of every friend of the present Administration throughout the State.

Resolved, That___________ be and they are hereby appointed delegates to represent this County in Milledgeville, on the 4th July next, and that in the reorganization of the Congressional and Electoral tickets, they sacrifice all former differences of opinion--all sectional, minor, and selfish consideration, thereby presenting an unbroken front--with an eye single to the successful maintenance of the great conservative principles of rational liberty.

When on motion it was Resolved, That the blank on the last Resolution be filled with the following names, viz: R. Sanford, J. Roberts, J.D. Hardage, Jos. Dunagan, F. Bradford, A. Matthews, T. C. Hackett, J. G. Lott, W. Sittons, E. M. Johnson, J. J. Hollingsworth, H. Davenport, J. Barrett, J. Barrett, D. Whelchel,Sr., R. F. Mays, R. Lawrence, R. Banks, B. F. Porter, D. H. McClesky, M. Brian, W. Jourdan, G. G. Thompson, M. Keith, S. Clark, R. Young, A. Blake, W. E. Wilson, and Capt. J. Saye.

The meeting then proceeded by ballot, to nominate Candidates to represent this County in the next Legislature--when the following persons were nominated, viz:

For Senate,

JOSEPH DUNAGAN.

For Representatives

JESSE D. HARDAGE

JAMES ROBERTS

GUILFORD G. THOMPSON

On motion, it was Resolved, That the proceedings be signed by the Chairman and Secretary, and published.

Signed: JOSEPH DUNAGAN, Ch'n.

Francis Luck, Sec'y38

The highlight of the political season in the summer of 1840 was the grand July 4th celebration. The large group assembled at the Courthouse and walked to the Academy Spring, where they listened to a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Joseph Dunagan, and an oration by T. C. Hackett. They partook of a "sumptuous meal" prepared by Wiley Sledge and heard a number of prepared "toasts" to such eternal verities as "The Union; It can only be preserved by a strict adherence to its Constitution;" "The heroes of '76," and "The fair sex; Let us love and protect them."

Col. Benjamin Black Dunagan

Benjamin Black Dunagan was born March 22 or 28, 1795, and he is my 4th great uncle, a brother to Joseph Ellis Dunagan, and was the 2nd child born to Ezekiel and Lydia Ann Brown Dunagan. Not much is known about Benjamin other than he had a distinguished military career rising to the rank of Colonel in the Georgia Militia. My dad would tell stories about Benjamin Dunagan and the many military campaigns he fought in around the state of Georgia and northern Florida mostly putting down Indian uprisings and various skirmishes with the Indians around the state. He was elected sheriff of Hall County, Georgia in 1838 and served two terms, 1838-1839 and 1842-1843. In 1868 Benjamin Dunnegan of Hall County was appointed notary public, nominated and recommended by the Freedman's Bureau representative in the area because he was a trusted unionist. He later formed the first Republican Party of Hall County in 1870, at age 75, and was elected Vice-President of the local GOP chapter at the organization meeting. As a side note, General James Longstreet, General Lee's second in command of the Army of Northern Virginia, CSA, and Georgia's most famous Republican, moved to Gainesville in 1875, not too long after after the GOP chapter was formed. Below are the minutes recorded when the organization meeting took place on September 23, 1870, in Gainesville, Georgia:

At a meeting of the Republican party of Hall county, held in the Court House in Gainesville, on the 23d September, for the purpose of organizing a Republican Club, G. W. Johnson, Esq., was elected President, Col. Benj. Dunagan, Vice President, and M. P. Caldwell, Sec'y.

It was resolved that every true Republican in the county be respectfully invited and urged to co-operate with the State and National Republican organizations in the coming campaign, and that we pledge ourselves to use due diligence to disseminate the great principles of said organizations and secure the election of our candidates, and earnestly and respectfully ask conservative voters of all parties to unite with us. Col. Benj. Dunagan and Maj. M.P. Caldwell were appointed delegates to the Congressional Convention at Gainesville, on the 12th of October, and G. W. Johnson Esq., and A. P. Prater alternates.

The Club adjoined, earnestly asking every Republican in the county to meet at the court house in Gainesville, on the 12th Oct., to agree upon a candidate to represent the county in the Legislature. We hope every district in the county will be represented.

signed: M. P. Caldwell, Sec'y42

Below is a copy of an original letter signed by Col. Benjamin Dunagan, 44th Regiment of the Georgia Militia, which ordered the muster of the militia in 1838 to aid the Federal Government in the removal of the Cherokee Indians from Georgia. This was known as the "Trail of Tears." The march west began October, 1838, and ended March, 1839. Many Cherokee died on the trip west. Dad told me that Benjamin did not participate in the actual rounding up and the forced march to the Indian territories out west due to his local responsibilities as sheriff of Hall County at the time but he did organize the militia for the task.

(click on to enlarge)

Benjamin Dunagan was a bachelor most of his life but I remember my dad telling me that he married later in life after he fathered a child with a local woman he had known for many years but never gave the child his name. If any of you know anymore about this Benjamin Black Dunagan please leave me a post.