Chapter 30 Summary and Analysis

"Democracy Triumphant" describes the four-year interval between Jackson's defeat in the 1824 election and his victory in 1828. Brands characterizes it as the "longest, bitterest, ugliest campaign in American political history." Adams is not yet inaugurated when newspapers declare Jackson a candidate in 1828. Jackson takes exception to Clay's comment about him being a dangerous "military chieftain," but admits to having done is duty towards his country. Jackson retires from the Senate, popular and famous, and Rachel is overjoyed to leave a life that makes her "shudder." She has the best of all worlds: wife to the man Americans most want to lead them and yet free of the burden of being the president's wife.

Because of the circumstances of his appointment, Clay finds his new job an agonizing one. Sen. John Randolph goes overboard savaging the administration, and Clay challenges him to a...