But extreme as were his declarations and difficult as were the obstructions in his path, he was able to carry his point.

Mr.Buchanan, the head of the Cabinet, had voted for the tariff of 1842, and Mr.Dallas, the Vice-President, had steadily and ably upheld the doctrine of protection when a member of the Senate.

It was the position of Buchanan and Dallas on the tariff that won the October election of 1844 for Francis R.Shunk for governor of Pennsylvania, and thus assured the election of Mr.
Polk.

The administration of which Buchanan and Dallas were such conspicuous and influential members could not forswear protection and inflict a free-trade tariff on Pennsylvania, without apparent dishonor and the abandonment of that State to the Whigs.

It was therefore regarded not only as impracticable but as politically impossible.
THE FREE-TRADE TARIFF OF 1846.
It was soon ascertained however that Mr.Polk sympathized with Mr.
Walker, and Mr.Buchanan was silenced and overridden.