January 12

"Popularity, I have always thought, may be aptly compared to a coquette- the more you woo her, the more apt is she to elude your embrace."

John Tyler, 10^th President, 1841-1845

-From remarks in Congress in 1816 in favor of repealing the compensation law-Tyler knew much about popularity or lack thereof. He became the first Vice-President to assume the Presidency after the death of William Henry Harrison. He fully assumed the title and duties of President and was fiercely opposed by many leaders of the day, who believed that he should be a mere figurehead and meekly and only symbolically serve out his term. Tyler had established early in his career that one should make decisions based on one's beliefs, not to gain popularity. In 1816 House of Representatives had increased their compensation from a per diem of $6 dollars per day to $1500 per year. As one might imagine, this pay raise was very unpopular and subsequently there was debate about having it repealed. Many learned and esteemed representatives, including Henry Clay, spoke in favor of keeping the law. Tyler, a young and inexperienced member of the House, did not seek the popularity of his peers as he bravely spoke in favor of repealing the act:"...Popularity, is to be desired by all, and the good esteem of his fellow men is the best reward the patriot can receive...This is not to be obtained by a low and grovelling pursuit of popular favor; and the man who rests his hopes of popularity on such a course will, most assuredly, be disappointed in his object. Popularity, I have always thought, may aptly be compared to a coquette-the more you woo her, the more apt is she to elude your embrace; and it is by pursuing a steady, firm, and uniform course, not at variance with the rights of the people, that she is ever made permanently to yield to your possession...If a member of this House is not a representative of the people, what is he? Is the servant to disobey the wishes of his master? From the very meaning of the word representative, the obligation to obey instructions results...I prefer to draw my principles from the man who fell a martyr in the cause of freedom...I shall vote for a repeal of the compensation law, as I know it to be the wish of my constituents that it should be repealed. They have looked to the large national debt, and think it requires reduction..." , "Abell, Alexander Gurdon, "Life of John Tyler, President of the United States", Harper & Brothers, New York, New York, 1843, pages 16-17.