The best description of the political characteristics of American society in this period is given by Alexis de Tocqueville, _Democracy in America_ (2 vols., trans., 1862). F. J. Turner has pointed out the importance of the West in the development of the nation in several studies, notably: "The Significance of the Frontier in American History" (American Historical Association, _Report_, 1893); "The Problem of the West" (_Atlantic Monthly_, vol. 78); "Contributions of the West to American Democracy" (_Atlantic Monthly_, vol. 91). The political development of the South is set forth with great thoroughness by U. B. Phillips, _Georgia and State Rights_ (American Historical Association, _Report_, 1901); W. A. Schaper, _Sectionalism and Representation in South Carolina_ (_ibid._, 1900); and C. H. Ambler, _Sectionalism in Virginia from 1776 to 1861_ (1910). Important aspects of the tariff are discussed in Edward Stanwood's _American Tariff Controversies in the Nineteenth Century_ (2 vols., 1903), and in C. W. Wright's _Wool-Growing and the Tariff_ (1910). CHAPTER XVIII POLITICS AND STATE RIGHTS The circumstances of his election made the position of President Adams one of very great difficulty. He alluded to his embarrassment in his first message to Congress. "Less possessed of your confidence in advance than any of my predecessors," said he, "I am deeply conscious of the prospect that I shall stand more and oftener in need of your indulgence." It is doubtful, however, if even he appreciated the momentum of the forces which were already combining to discredit his administration. In October, the legislature of Tennessee had again nominated Jackson for the Presidency, and he had accepted the nomination as a summons to wage war upon the forces of evil in high places. The campaign of 1828, indeed, had already begun: and it was to be a campaign of personal vindication as well as of popular rights. Under similar circumstances most men would have made sure of the loyalty of their constitutional advisers, at least, but Adams flattered himself that he could carry on a non-partisan administration. The results were disastrous, for at least two of the Cabinet were not above using the patronage of office to further the cause of Jackson. In his laudable desire not to allow the Government to become "a perpetual and unintermitting scramble for office," Adams refused to make removals in the civil service on partisan grounds, yet he retained in office underlings who labored incessantly in the cause of the opposition.