1. William Leggett By: Anthony Comegna & the LocofocoParadigm

2. Overview Leggett & his Locofocos Leggett’s Thought: – Democracy – Radical Anti-monopoly – Radical Laissez-faire – Radical antislavery The Locofoco Paradigm Conclusion

3. Leggett & His Locofocos Jacksonian editor of the New York Evening Post. Undisputed intellectual founder of the Locofoco Party. Locofoco=friction match Locofoco=friction match Party platform: equity under the law, or “Equal Rights.”

4. Leggett’s Thought: Democracy Not an end in itself, but a means to greater liberty Politicians, too, are mere means, not ends Democracy is incompatible with managed markets and slavery

5. Leggett’s Thought: Anti-Monopoly Opposed the granting of corporate charters Opposed public enterprises (public ferries, docks, wharves, piers, schools, asylums, coinage, banking, etc.) Worst Monopoly: National & State Banks! Opposed “Intellectual Property”

6. Leggett’s Thought: Laissez-faire! Direct Taxes Absolute minimum (i.e. practically no) government regulation of the market Free Banking!!! Private coinage Radical localism—care for the poor, sick, and uneducated

7. Leggett’s Thought: Antislavery Began writing career as lukewarm slavery apologist Steady radicalization Culminated in: – Immediatism – Favored Enfranchisement – Northern Abolitionism(!)

8. The Locofoco Paradigm An intellectual-political movement favoring free markets, liberty-expanding politics, and antislavery activism Directly Formulated by William Leggett Extended, through Leggett, from the Locofoco party of NY into the Van Buren administration Directly led to the Jacksonian creation of the Free Soil party in the wake of the 1844 election.

9. Conclusion: Paradigmatic Clashes & Historical Consequences Election of 1844—Calhounism v. Van Burenism An electoral triumph for the quasi-free market, pro-slavery Calhounist paradigm Split the Democrat and Whig parties, creating the Free Soil Party. Free Soil agitation ignited North-South conflicts over slavery Free Soilers spill into Republican ranks… 600,000+ dead