David Rice Atchison, American general and politician (b. 1807)

David Rice Atchison (August 11, 1807 – January 26, 1886) was a prominent, albeit controversial, figure in mid-19th century American politics. A Democratic United States Senator from Missouri, his career was deeply intertwined with the escalating tensions over slavery that ultimately led to the Civil War.

A Distinguished Senate Career and the Role of President pro tempore

Atchison served as a United States Senator representing Missouri from 1843 to 1855. During his tenure, he achieved significant political standing, notably serving multiple terms as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate. This high-ranking position, constitutionally held by a senator chosen by the Senate to preside in the absence of the Vice President, placed him third in the line of presidential succession at the time, following the Vice President and before cabinet members. He held this important role for a cumulative six years, from December 2, 1846, to March 4, 1849, and again from December 16, 1852, to December 4, 1854, demonstrating the trust and respect he garnered from his peers within the Senate.

Military Engagements: From the Mormon War to the Civil War

Atchison's public service extended beyond the legislative chambers into military affairs. In 1838, he served as a major general in the Missouri State Militia during what is historically known as the Missouri Mormon War. This conflict was a significant period of armed violence between Latter-day Saints and their Missouri neighbors, fueled by religious and political animosity, leading to the expulsion of Mormons from the state.

Decades later, during the tumultuous American Civil War, Atchison aligned himself with the Confederacy. He was commissioned as a Confederate brigadier general in the Missouri State Guard in 1861, serving under the prominent Confederate Major General Sterling Price. In this capacity, he participated in various military campaigns aimed at securing Missouri for the Confederacy, highlighting his dedication to the Southern cause.

The Disputed Claim: "President for a Day"?

Perhaps the most famous, and widely debated, aspect of David Rice Atchison's legacy is the claim that he served as Acting President of the United States for a period of 24 hours. This extraordinary assertion centers around events occurring from Sunday, March 4, 1849, through noon on Monday, March 5, 1849.

The situation arose because Zachary Taylor, the President-elect, refused to take his oath of office on Sunday, March 4, 1849, due to his religious convictions. Traditionally, presidential terms conclude at noon on March 4th. With President James K. Polk's term officially ending and Taylor not yet sworn in, a perceived constitutional vacuum emerged. Furthermore, the Vice President-elect, Millard Fillmore, also had not yet taken his oath. As the President pro tempore of the Senate, Atchison was then, according to the Presidential Succession Act of 1792, next in line after the Vice President.

However, this belief is almost universally dismissed by historians, constitutional scholars, and biographers for several critical reasons:

• Constitutional Continuity: The office of the presidency is understood to be continuous. There is no interregnum. President Polk's term, by legal and historical precedent, would extend until his successor was sworn in. The common practice of delaying an oath due to Sunday observances does not create a vacancy.
• Oath of Office: For anyone to assume the powers of the President, even in an acting capacity, they must take the Presidential oath of office. Atchison did not take this oath.
• No Vacancy Declared: Neither Congress nor any official body declared a vacancy in the presidency or vice presidency that would have triggered the succession protocols.

Therefore, while an interesting historical anecdote, the idea that David Rice Atchison was ever "Acting President" lacks substantive legal or historical support.

A Staunch Pro-Slavery Activist and "Bleeding Kansas" Figure

Beyond his political and military roles, Atchison was deeply committed to the institution of slavery. As a slave owner with a plantation, he became a fervent advocate for its expansion and a prominent leader of the pro-slavery movement, particularly in the escalating conflicts on the Missouri-Kansas border.

He is notoriously associated with the "Border Ruffians," pro-slavery Missourians who crossed into Kansas Territory to influence elections and intimidate or attack anti-slavery settlers. Atchison actively encouraged and participated in this violence, contributing significantly to the brutal period known as "Bleeding Kansas." This violent civil confrontation, preceding the national Civil War, was a direct consequence of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed for "popular sovereignty" to decide the slavery question in new territories. Atchison's actions as a Border Ruffian leader cemented his reputation as a controversial and divisive figure, symbolizing the intense sectional strife of the era.

Frequently Asked Questions about David Rice Atchison

Was David Rice Atchison truly President of the United States?

No, historians and constitutional scholars overwhelmingly dismiss the claim that David Rice Atchison served as Acting President. While he was President pro tempore of the Senate, the official line of succession at the time, the constitutional continuity of the presidency and his failure to take the presidential oath of office negate this assertion.

What was the "Mormon War" that David Rice Atchison was involved in?

The "Mormon War" (or Missouri Mormon War of 1838) was a conflict in Missouri between Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and other Missouri settlers. It was marked by significant violence and ultimately led to the expulsion of Mormons from the state. Atchison, then a major general in the Missouri State Militia, played a role in these events.

What was David Rice Atchison's role in "Bleeding Kansas"?

David Rice Atchison was a leading pro-slavery activist and a prominent figure among the "Border Ruffians." These were pro-slavery Missourians who engaged in violence, intimidation, and electoral fraud in Kansas Territory to ensure it became a slave state. Atchison actively participated in and encouraged these actions, contributing significantly to the bloody conflicts of "Bleeding Kansas."