No doubt they were in a way an improvement on the Federalists, in that they, like their opponents, the Democrats, stood for a combination between democracy and nationalism.

They believed that the consolidation and the development of the national organization was contributory rather than antagonistic to the purpose of the American political system.

Yet they made no conquests on behalf of their convictions.

The Federalists really accomplished a great and necessary task of national organization and founded a tradition of constructive national achievement.

The Whigs at best kept this tradition alive.