ROBERT TYLER

Througout political history, including in America, opportunistic, unscruplous politicians have appealed to the prejudices and hates of subsets of the population for others (usually minorities) to get elected or obtain support for legislation and administrative action. In America this has been an element of all populist movements—an enemy. This quote is particularly enlightening in that it shows that the real need is to have a minority to focus the public against—which one is not as material as the fact that there is one.

The issue of Abolition dominated the entire national landscape. Buchanan and his followers were determined not to undermine the South and so opposed an anti-slavery action. However the public was constantly talking about the issue. The strategy of diverting the public’s attention by going after the Mormons appealed to many. President Buchanan did send an army against the Mormons in what was called the Mormon War.

The issue of Abolition dominated the entire national landscape. Buchanan and his followers were determined not to undermine the South and so opposed an anti-slavery action. However the public was constantly talking about the issue. The strategy of diverting the public’s attention by going after the Mormons appealed to many. President Buchanan did send an army against the Mormons in what was called the Mormon War.

Througout political history, including in America, opportunistic, unscruplous politicians have appealed to the prejudices and hates of subsets of the population for others (usually minorities) to get elected or obtain support for legislation and administrative action. In America this has been an element of all populist movements—an enemy. This quote is particularly enlightening in that it shows that the real need is to have a minority to focus the public against—which one is not as material as the fact that there is one.