From what I understand, when Lincoln first got to D.C. he worked under Senator Clay and that is where Abe got most of his pro-federal government, pro-tax and spend views.
From what I understand, when Lincoln first got to D.C. he worked under Senator Clay and that is where Abe got most of his pro-federal government, pro-tax and spend views. Oh, I thought you were referring to Cassius Clay, a Lincoln contemporary, while you were referring to the Great Compromiser. Yes, Lincoln imbibed a lot of Clay's ideas and ideals. The Whigs' platform of national development was indeed the precursor of tax-and-spend.