Politics
Cartwright jumped into politics as a Democrat. Twice a member of the Illinois legislature, he ran for the United States Congress in 1846, but was defeated by the Springfield Whig, Abraham Lincoln.
Politically, Cartwright was a Jacksonian Democrat who trusted in the ability of the common man. He opposed slavery and advocated use of moral suasion rather than political action to end it, fearing that political action would threaten the federal union, another core element of national identity. Cartwright also supported expansionism both to spread American values and to increase economic opportunity. To him, manhood was demonstrated by singleness of purpose despite all obstacles and by economic independence.
Read more about this topic: Peter Cartwright (revivalist)
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