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 Masonic party, as it was called by the Anti-Masons, tried to be indifferent to the Masonic order and disavowed all support of it; opposed the American system and did not advocate an extensive local improvement system and supported the national and state administrations. They conducted a defensive campaign against the accusations of the Anti-Masons.

"Before considering the vote of the election it is necessary to take a hasty view of the social and economic conditions of the state at that time. Morgan had disappeared in western New York four years before and this had caused a great local opposition to the Masons which had spread throughout the state and even into neighboring states. The internal improvement movement had assumed stupendous proportions; the state had completed four canals within the last seven years; the Champlain in 1823, the Erie in 1825, the Oswego in 1828, and the Cayuga and Seneca in 1829. And the people were clamoring