Merk wrote that, while belief in the beneficent mission of democracy was central to American history, aggressive " continentalism " was an aberration supported by only a minority of Americans, mostly Democrats, while it was opposed by Whigs and some Democrats.
22.
He believed that an economically favourable treaty would appeal to most Canadians and have the additional benefit of dividing the Conservatives between the western wing of the party, which had long wanted free trade with the United States, and the eastern wing, which were more opposed to Continentalism.
