See quotation, 1888. Mr. Albert Matthews of Boston, Feb. 1910, read a paper before the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, concerning this phrase, from which the present compiler has borrowed copiously.
1789. May 1. The New York Daily Gazette remarked: “Yesterday the Great and Illustrious Washington, the favourite son of liberty, and deliverer of his country, entered upon the execution of the office of First Magistrate of the United States of America.
1789. In a Fourth-of-July ode, written by Daniel George at Portland, Mass., Washington is styled “The friend of Liberty—Columbia’s favourite son.”—Mass. Centinel, July 8.
1789. A triumphal arch erected in Boston in October, on the occasion of Washington’s tour, had on it an oval tablet, inscribed on one side “To Columbia’s favourite son.”—Id., Oct. 28.
1789. On his arrival at Portsmouth, N.H., he was greeted by the singing of three odes, one of which included these words:—
| Thrice hail, Columbia’s fav’rite Son, | |
| Thrice welcome, matchless Washington. | |
Id., Nov. 11. |
1825. He [John Randolph] thought himself unkindly treated by his native State. He will now, I trust, see in himself her favorite son.—Henry St. George Tucker to Dr. Brockenbrough, December: H. A. Garland, ‘Life of Randolph,’ ii. 240 (1851).
1835. Some of them [the newspapers] contained pretty strong eulogiums on the character and talents of the favourite son of New-York [Martin Van Buren].—C. R. Gilman, ‘Life on the Lakes,’ i. 30 (N.Y., 1836).
1840. What motive has this great state to abandon her Favorite Son [M. Van Buren] for such a person?—Address of the Democratic Members of the Legislature of New York to the Electors of the State: ‘Niles’ National Register,’ lviii. June 24, p. 250/1.
1840. It must have gladdened in the inmost recesses of the heart of old Virginia’s “favorite son” [William C. Rives], to receive these unbought and unpurchasable testimonials of grateful esteem from the democracy of New York.—Id., lix. 98/2.
1844. We have full and entire confidence in the tried integrity and republican statesmanship of the Hon. James Buchanan, the favorite son of Pennsylvania for the next Presidency.—Resolution of Democratic Convention, id., lxv. 57/2.
1846. [Van Buren left] the fickle dame called Fortune with her new “favorite son,” William Henry Harrison, who, like Nelson at Trafalgar, was soon to expire in the arms of victory.—W. L. Mackenzie, ‘Life of Martin Van Buren,’ p. 102 (Boston).
1848. [The address is] in recommendation of James Buchanan, “the favorite son of Pennsylvania.”—‘Niles’ National Register,’ lxxiii. Feb. 19, p. 393/1.
1848. No man of his distinguished talents can be permitted to act a manly part upon an elevated theatre, lest he overshadow this “favorite son” [i.e., James Buchanan].—Mr. Wilmot of Pennsylvania, House of Representatives, Feb. 7: Cong. Globe, p. 186, App.
1858. As to Pennsylvania, her favorite son [James Buchanan] has ascended to power. He has disappointed her hopes. He has soured her spirit. The charm is gone. The spell is broken.—Mr. Cragin of N. Hampshire, the same, May 24: id., p. 396, App.
1888. A Favourite Son is a politician respected or admired in his own State, but little regarded beyond it. He may not be, like the Dark Horse, little known to the nation at large, but he has not fixed its eye or filled its ear. He is usually a man who has sat in the State legislature; filled with credit the post of State governor; perhaps gone as senator or representative to Washington, and there approved himself an active promoter of local interests. Probably he possesses the qualities which gain local popularity—geniality, activity, sympathy with the dominant sentiments and habits of his State; or while endowed with gifts excellent in their way, he has lacked the audacity and tenacity which push a man to the front through a jostling crowd. More rarely he is a demagogue who has raised himself by flattering the masses of his State on some local questions, or a skilful handler of party organizations who has made local bosses and spoilsmen believe that their interests are safe in his hands. Anyhow, his personality is such as to be more effective with neighbours than with the nation, as a lamp whose glow fills the side chapel of a cathedral sinks to a spark of light when carried into the nave.—Bryce’s ‘American Commonwealth,’ i. 552 (Lond.).
