“One of a political party which grew up, in opposition to the Democratic party, out of the National Republican party. It was first called the Whig party in 1834.” The word had been applied to the adherents of the Revolution (‘Century Dict.’).
1837. The term Whig in the U.S. at this time is significant of Federalist in ’96, a term that the self-named Whigs of this day were proud of, but their principles are still the same.—Mr. Duncan of Ohio (an opponent of the Whigs), House of Repr., Dec. 18: Cong. Globe, p. 48, App. [See the whole of the speech.]
1839. See WHIFFET.
1846. See ADMINISTRATION.
1862. I come from the fossil kingdom, belonging as I do to that extinct species, the pure, unadulterated old-line Whig.—Mr. W. T. Willey of Virginia, U.S. Senate, Feb. 4: Cong. Globe, p. 626/1.
1862. [The abolitionists] strangled the old Whig party, and hounded Choate and Webster to their graves.—Mr. Charles J. Biddle of Pa., House of Repr., June 2: id., p. 2505/2.
