The
carpings of critics were drowned in the public rejoicings. The
Hartford Convention dissolved unwept and unsung. Flushed with pride
and confidence, the country entered upon a new and richer epoch.
The dominant tone of this dawning period was nationalism. The nation
was to be made great and rich and free; sectional interests and
ambitions were to be merged in the greater national purpose. Congress
voiced the sentiment of the day by freely laying tariffs to protect
newly risen manufactures, by appropriating money for "internal
improvements," by establishing a second United States Bank, and by
giving full support to the annexation of territory for the adjustment
of border difficulties and the extension of the country to its natural
frontiers.
Under the leadership of John Marshall, the Supreme Court handed down
an imposing series of decisions restricting the powers of the States
and throwing open the floodgates for the expansion of national
functions and activities. Statesmen of all sections put the nation
first in their plans and policies as they had not always done in
earlier days.
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