When John Tyler is remembered at all, it is as a failed president and a traitor. The "experts" who reward progressivism, generally rank this man in the bottom ten. John Tyler does not belong anywhere near the bottom of any ranking.
By definition, John Tyler was also a traitor. In the final years of his life, the former President Tyler did try to negotiate a solution to the brewing issue of state succession. Nothing was going to stop the coming Civil War, and when his home state of Virginia left the Union, Tyler supported it and the CSA. The former president had essentially sworn loyalty to a new country in rebellion. When Tyler died in 1962, there were no honors or acknowledgment in DC--the first and only time a former President was not honored in Washington. But this is all post presidency. Time to examine the Tyler administration...
John Tyler was the VP pick for the war hero William Henry Harrison mainly in an attempt to attract southern votes. When Harrison died one month into his term, the nation faced a Constitutional crisis. The Constitution was vague on whether the VP was a temporary placeholder or a permanent replacement. Some spoke of a new election. Tyler did not hesitate. He moved into the White House, declared himself President, and set the precedent for future presidential vacancies. There was no serious challenge, and due to his decisive action, no power vacuum in the government. The Democrat party tried to belittle him throughout his presidency by referring to him as Mr. Vice President or His Accidency. A petulant and bitter opposition party. Sound familiar? Had Tyler been weak or passive, there is no telling how the next President would have been determined.
One highlight of the Tyler presidency was his negotiated and signed treaty with Great Britain to finalize our northern border with Canada. This was no small matter. Disputes had grown extremely tense over the previous years and nearly resulted in war several times. Yet another war with Britain would have been disastrous. This treaty put an end to all disputes once and for all.
Tyler also invoked the Monroe Doctrine warning the British to stay away from Hawaii, protecting our Pacific interests. Britain had obvious sights on colonizing the sovereign nation. Tyler made it clear that would not be tolerated. Tyler also approved the annexation of Texas, though his successor James Polk gets the credit from historians as it was finalized during his administration. The Seminole War came to an end due to Tyler's insistence on the assimilation of Indians into America rather than simply founding them up and shipping them west. This was not a typical stance for a politician of the day as it wasn't popular with the public. Tyler, to his credit,was not beholden to what was popular or what would help his future candidacy.
My favorite aspect of the Tyler presidency was his veto of two bills that killed Congress attempt to reestablish the National Bank. This angered his own party, the Whig party, who promptly disowned him. The President was an enemy to both parties. Again, sound familiar? In fact, his entire cabinet that he inherited from Harrison quit, aside from Secretary of State Daniel Webster. This doomed his chances at re-election, and Tyler was well aware of that. Yet he had the ethical strength to make the right decision at the detriment of his future. Had he been a typical politician, he would have gone along with his party's wishes and approved the bank. He would have kept their support and perhaps been reelected.
He was not welcome as a candidate to either party. John Tyler did not care. He did what was best for the country, not himself. Having just finished Tyler's biography, I am seeing some amazing parallels between his actions and some of what we are witnessing today. If you don't play ball, the establishment party criminals will fight you to the end. Tyler sacrificed his political future because he just didn't give a shit. He stuck to the Constitution and what was right rather than politically beneficial to him. It's the actual definition of a public servant.
God knows we need more politicians like that today.
If you ever in Richmond, Virginia, you have a perfect opportunity to piss off a snowflake. John Tyler, James Monroe, and Jefferson Davis are all buried in the same cemetery. Pay your respects before their final resting spots are cancelled. It's a beautiful place.
John Tyler and his presidency were not perfect. However, he accomplished much despite vitriol from both parties. Once again, sound familiar? The "experts" often cite the hate from most of the government as a reason for his low ranking. It should be a badge of honor! deserves better.
By definition, John Tyler was also a traitor. In the final years of his life, the former President Tyler did try to negotiate a solution to the brewing issue of state succession. Nothing was going to stop the coming Civil War, and when his home state of Virginia left the Union, Tyler supported it and the CSA. The former president had essentially sworn loyalty to a new country in rebellion. When Tyler died in 1962, there were no honors or acknowledgment in DC--the first and only time a former President was not honored in Washington. But this is all post presidency. Time to examine the Tyler administration...
John Tyler was the VP pick for the war hero William Henry Harrison mainly in an attempt to attract southern votes. When Harrison died one month into his term, the nation faced a Constitutional crisis. The Constitution was vague on whether the VP was a temporary placeholder or a permanent replacement. Some spoke of a new election. Tyler did not hesitate. He moved into the White House, declared himself President, and set the precedent for future presidential vacancies. There was no serious challenge, and due to his decisive action, no power vacuum in the government. The Democrat party tried to belittle him throughout his presidency by referring to him as Mr. Vice President or His Accidency. A petulant and bitter opposition party. Sound familiar? Had Tyler been weak or passive, there is no telling how the next President would have been determined.
One highlight of the Tyler presidency was his negotiated and signed treaty with Great Britain to finalize our northern border with Canada. This was no small matter. Disputes had grown extremely tense over the previous years and nearly resulted in war several times. Yet another war with Britain would have been disastrous. This treaty put an end to all disputes once and for all.
Tyler also invoked the Monroe Doctrine warning the British to stay away from Hawaii, protecting our Pacific interests. Britain had obvious sights on colonizing the sovereign nation. Tyler made it clear that would not be tolerated. Tyler also approved the annexation of Texas, though his successor James Polk gets the credit from historians as it was finalized during his administration. The Seminole War came to an end due to Tyler's insistence on the assimilation of Indians into America rather than simply founding them up and shipping them west. This was not a typical stance for a politician of the day as it wasn't popular with the public. Tyler, to his credit,was not beholden to what was popular or what would help his future candidacy.
My favorite aspect of the Tyler presidency was his veto of two bills that killed Congress attempt to reestablish the National Bank. This angered his own party, the Whig party, who promptly disowned him. The President was an enemy to both parties. Again, sound familiar? In fact, his entire cabinet that he inherited from Harrison quit, aside from Secretary of State Daniel Webster. This doomed his chances at re-election, and Tyler was well aware of that. Yet he had the ethical strength to make the right decision at the detriment of his future. Had he been a typical politician, he would have gone along with his party's wishes and approved the bank. He would have kept their support and perhaps been reelected.
He was not welcome as a candidate to either party. John Tyler did not care. He did what was best for the country, not himself. Having just finished Tyler's biography, I am seeing some amazing parallels between his actions and some of what we are witnessing today. If you don't play ball, the establishment party criminals will fight you to the end. Tyler sacrificed his political future because he just didn't give a shit. He stuck to the Constitution and what was right rather than politically beneficial to him. It's the actual definition of a public servant.
God knows we need more politicians like that today.
If you ever in Richmond, Virginia, you have a perfect opportunity to piss off a snowflake. John Tyler, James Monroe, and Jefferson Davis are all buried in the same cemetery. Pay your respects before their final resting spots are cancelled. It's a beautiful place.
John Tyler and his presidency were not perfect. However, he accomplished much despite vitriol from both parties. Once again, sound familiar? The "experts" often cite the hate from most of the government as a reason for his low ranking. It should be a badge of honor! deserves better.
