The Cult of Personality: The Case of Archibald Yell

 Perhaps a better example than Crittenden of the impact of personality upon politics is the colorful figure of Archibald Yell. A disciple of Andrew Jackson and a close personal friend of James Polk, Yell cut a swath through early Arkansas politics. Many of the stories told about him bordered on legend:
"He's a gentleman. He ain't ashamed to shake hands with leather hunting shirts. He bows to common folks. He's the right sort of judge."
The above quotation is from a folklore-ridden article published on July 15, 1871, in the Fayetteville Democrat and alleged to be a reprint of an earlier article. The piece includes this often-repeated account of Judge Yell and his bailiff quelling a riot in their courtroom:
"The new judge used his little iron cane with terrible efficiency, crippling limbs, yet still sparing life, while Good-Natured Bill Buffum, imitating the clemency of his honorable friend actually trampled or crushed down all opposition, roaring with each furious blow, 'This is a way to preserve order in court.' Such was the debut of Archibald Yell in Van Buren, Territory of Arkansas. "
So popular was Yell, that when statehood approached, the Family had residency requirements inserted into the new constitution so as to assure that one of their ranks, James Conway, would be elected Arkansas's first governor. Yell was forced instead to run for Congress and received more votes than any other candidate in the 1836 election. He was so popular that he didn't even bother to return to Arkansas when he stood for re-election in 1837. He won handily despite efforts by his opponents to brand him as a closet abolitionist because he had refused to attend a meeting of pro-slavery representatives seeking to impose a gag order.

In 1840, Yell stepped down from Congress to be elected governor by one of the most lopsided margins in Arkansas history, 10,953 to 399. His principal accomplishment as governor was to close the state's ill-fated banks. These had been launched in the teeth of a financial panic. Nevertheless the legislature had seen fit to commit the state to $3,000,000 in credit at a time when the treasury contained exactly $81.79. (Ted Worley, "The Batesville Branch of the State Bank, 1836-39." Arkansas Historical Quarterly VI (Fall '47), page 287.)

In 1844, Yell ran again for Congress to be of assistance to his friend James Polk, who was elevated to the presidency in that same election. Yell's opponent was the well respected, but somewhat priggish, David Walker. As was the custom of the day, the two men "traveled the stump" together, debating the issues for any crowd they could find to listen. This account of that campaign is supplied by early Arkansas historian John Hallum:
"When on the way to Yellville to fill an appointment, they stopped on the wayside at a shooting-match in progress for beef. Judge Walker's conscientious convictions cut him off from either shooting for beef or indulging in a drink.

"Yell, after shaking the hand of every man and boy on the ground, bought a chance in the match for beef, and fortuitously made the best shot and won first choice. The crowd yelled and huzzaed for Yell, whilst Judge Walker looked on in calm and cold stoicism and some degree of disgust.

"Governor Yell then inquired for the most necessitous widow in the vicinity, and sent his beef to her. Next he sent for a jug of whiskey and tipped glasses with the voters.

On another occasion they took in a camp-meeting on King's River, where Judge Walker thought his superior moral qualifications would come into play greatly to the disadvantage of his adversary, who he thought had no pretensions to qualification in that direction. A man who would shoot for beef, and take a drink out of a jug on the roadside, must necessarily be at great disadvantage on a campground, where religion was altogether in the ascendancy.

"But to his great disgust, he soon found Governor Yell leading the old class-leaders in the amen corner, and singing with musical voice on a key above all others that old hymn 'How happy are they who their Savior obey.' He was as great a favorite at the campground as at the shooting match. His consummate knowledge of human nature enabled him to shine with equal splendor in a camp or court. He was born to lead men.

"Judge Walker, in a fit of despair, was heard to say to one of his political friends: 'You can't beat such a man as that; he is all things to all men, and all men believe in him; he is as popular with psalm-singers as with those who take their dram and shoot for beef.'"
It really doesn't matter whether these stories about Yell were true. What is important is that such stories were told about him. Moreover, he died as he lived. Leaving Congress to fight in the Mexican War, Yell perished at the Battle of Buena Vista, pierced by enemy lances while courageously rallying his troops.