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."