DEMOCRATIC PARTY
What makes this quotation so historically interesting is that the abiding by the Supreme Court’s decisions on constitutionality was even an issue. It was because of the terrible Dred Scott decision which required Northern States to return fugitive slaves to their owners despite the constitutions of those states which stated that all men were free. A substantial part of the Democratic Party was the “solid South” and the return of fugitive slaves was one of the major issues of the 1860 Presidential Election. Ironically, the Southern States were arguing AGAINST states’ rights when the Northern States’ laws and Constitutions made fugitive slaves free the minute they set foot in the state.
This anti-prohibition plank passed by the largest margin of any on the platform.
Note that in the beginning of the 20th century, the Democrats were the free traders opposing protectionism while the Republicans advocated strong protectionism to protect American companies. By the end of the 20th Century, both parties had flip flopped and taken the other’s position.
The “hickory ramrod” referred to Andrew Jackson (Old Hickory). Henry Clay was his Whig Opponent.
Two years later with bipartisan support Speaker Joseph Cannon was stripped of his party and the Rules Committee was created.
In the late 1950s British Prime Minister adopted the line to trumpet his accomplishments to the British electorate. President Lyndon Johnson revived the slogan in the 1960s and used it on many occasions.
