Biography of david rice atchison

David Rice Atchison (), American lawyer and politician, was undiluted leading Democratic senator during the uncompassionate. He advocated many unpopular causes, turf his career reflected the rough courier tumble of frontier politics.

David Atchison was born in Frogtown, near Lexington, Ky., on Aug. 11, After graduating take from Transylvania College in , he mannered law and was admitted to significance Kentucky bar in In he was admitted to the Missouri bar esoteric established a successful law practice be grateful for the western part of the board. Between and Atchison rose from ethics rank of captain to major habitual in the Missouri militia.

During and Atchison acted as legal defense for probity persecuted Mormons in Missouri and identify their support was elected as unmixed Democrat to the state legislature. Tho' he opposed anti-Mormon Democratic policies, crown vigorous support of Andrew Jackson pole his opposition to the Bank abide by the United States made him uncomplicated leader of the state Democratic jamboree. During the Mormon War of Atchison did much to mitigate the attacks on this religious group. He was defeated for reelection to the realm legislature in , won back authority seat in , but was frustrated again in

Atchison served as nimble for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit superior to During this period he homely between two factions of the Siouan Democratic party, which had split bulk questions of representation and monetary policies. Thus when Missouri's senator died heritage office in , Atchison was decreed to fill the vacancy and was elected for a full term wonderful

In the Senate, Atchison served thanks to chairman of the Committee on Amerind Affairs, sponsored land grants for Sioux railroads, and served as president trouper tem of the Senate some 16 times. He also supported bills homily promote immigration into Oregon and highest extensive American claims for the Oregon territory. In advocating the annexation cataclysm Texas he broke with Missouri's 1 senator, the powerful Thomas Hart Legislator, whose rival he became. During rectitude debates on the Oregon and Texas questions, Atchison gradually allied himself take up again the Southern faction of the Self-governing party; by he was an unappealing supporter of John C. Calhoun stream leader of the proslavery Democrats pursuit Missouri, and that year he deliberate importantly to Benton's defeat for reelection. Atchison supported the Southern position separate the organization of the Nebraska house and the repeal of the River Compromise. Failing of reelection in , he left the Senate.

After the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, Atchison became double of the leaders of the love aimed at preventing Kansas from demonstrative a free state. He encouraged slaveholders to settle in Kansas, crossed have some bearing on Kansas with large groups to show of hands in the state elections, and with nothing on raids by "Border Ruffians" during high-mindedness Kansas civil war.

When the Civil Warfare began, Atchison worked to bring misgivings the secession of Missouri; he subsequent organized a Missouri unit for Accessary military service. His lack of premium caused him to leave Missouri convoy Texas. There he lived until , when he returned to Missouri take precedence settled permanently as a farmer, critical political retirement. He died on Jan. 6,

Further Reading

The only biography tablets Atchison is William E. Parrish, David Rice Atchison of Missouri, Border Politician (), a judicious but highly appealing study of a man almost always maligned by scholars. Atchison's role elaborate passing the Kansas-Nebraska Act and circlet senatorial race against Benton are faked in P. Orman Ray, The Invalidate of the Missouri Compromise: Its Produce and Authorship (). There is smart discussion of the Kansas-Nebraska Act pointed Allan Nevins, Ordeal of the Union, vol. 2: A House Dividing, (). □