Era of Good Feelings - The Great Goodwill Tour and National Embrace of Republicanism

The Great Goodwill Tour and National Embrace of Republicanism

The most perfect expression of the Era of Good Feelings was Monroe’s country-wide good-will tour in 1817 and 1819. His visits to New England and to the Federalist stronghold of Boston, Massachusetts, in particular, were the most significant of the tour. Here, the descriptive phrase “Era of Good Feelings” was bestowed by a local Federalist journal.

The President’s physical appearance, wardrobe and personal attributes were decisive in arousing good feelings on the tour. He donned a Revolutionary War officer's uniform and tied his powdered hair in a cue in the old-fashioned style of the 18th century. “Tall, rawboned, venerable,” he made an “agreeable” impression and had a good deal of charm and “most men immediately liked him … manner he was rather formal, having an innate sense of dignity, which allowed no one to take liberties. Yet in spite of his formality, he had the unusual ability to put men at their ease by his courtesy, lack of condescension, his frankness, and what his contemporaries looked upon as the essential goodness and kindness of heart which he always radiated.”

Monroe’s visit to Boston elicited a huge outpouring of nationalist pride and expressions of reconciliation. New England Federalists were especially eager to demonstrate their loyalty after the debacle of the Hartford Convention. Amidst the festivities – banquets, parades, receptions – many took the opportunity to make the most “explicit and solemn declarations” to remove, as Monroe wrote afterwards, “impressions of that kind, which they knew existed, and to get back into the great family of the union.” Abigail Adams dubbed the catharsis an “expiation.”

Here, in the heart of Federalist territory, Monroe gained the primary goal of his tour; in effect, permitting “the Federalists by solemn public demonstrations to reaffirm their loyalty to the government and their acceptance of Republican control.” Even in this atmosphere of contrition, Monroe was assiduous in avoiding any remarks or expressions that might chasten or humiliate his hosts. He presented himself strictly as the head of state, and not as the leader of a triumphant political party.

In the ensuing years the New England states capitulated, and all but Massachusetts was in Republican Party hands. De-Federalization was virtually complete by 1820 and the appointment of former Federalist Party members seemed in order; however, Monroe feared a backlash even at this advanced stage in the process of amalgamation. Most anti-Federalist sentiments were political posturing, but Monroe was not so secure of support for his domestic and foreign programs and was concerned at the mounting hostilities over the upcoming presidential contest in 1824, a purely intraparty affair. Monroe’s final reconciling with the Federalists was never consummated.