A name at first applied to one section of the Democrats, but afterwards derisively applied to Democrats generally. For the origin of the word, see the earlier quotations.
1834. Self-igniting cigars, commonly called Locofocos, were patented by John Marck of N.Y., April 16 (Bartlett).
1834–5. When friction matches were first invented they were called “Lucifer,” in compliment to his Satanic highness, but in process of time the locus in quo, where he is supposed to dwell, was substituted in place of his name, and hence they were given the name of “Loco-foco,” the place of fire. Now it so happened, according to Wheeler [Webster] in 1834, according to Worcester in 1835, that the Democrats of New York, one night, held a meeting in Tammany Hall; in this meeting there were opposing factions; one of these, finding itself about to be outnumbered, hastily adjourned and extinguished the lights; the other as quickly brought in candles, ignited their loco-foco matches, lit the candles, called the meeting to order, and proceeded to pass their measures. The Whigs seized upon these circumstances, and dubbed the Democrats “Loco-focos.”—Shields, ‘Life of Prentiss,’ p. 300–1 (Phila., 1884).
*** See also J. D. Hammond, ‘History of Political Parties,’ ii. 491.
1837. The President’s message is Locofoco to the very core.—P. Hone, ‘Diary,’ Sept. 6. (N.E.D.)
1837. This is not a conservative, but a loco foco—a destructive measure.—Mr. Wise of Virginia, House of Repr., Sept. 27: Cong. Globe, p. 246, App.
1837. Loco foco! Gentlemen seem to raise up that name as a ghost to create terror and alarm. It was but the other night that, while [I was] holding a portrait of John Milton in my hand, a very estimable friend of mine looked at it sneeringly, and denounced him as a loco foco!—Mr. Pickens in the U.S. Senate, Oct. 10: id., p. 178, App.
1837. The member calls names. He has denounced the whole Democratic party as Loco Focos. I am unacquainted with the meaning of the term Loco Foco; it is of a tongue unknown to me.—Mr. Duncan of Ohio, House of Repr., Dec. 18: id., p. 49, App.
1838. I glory in being a Democrat, and one of the people, whether they be called a mob, swinish multitude, Jacobin, Loco Foco, or by whatever name they may be styled.—Mr. Petrikin of Pa., House of Repr., Dec. 17: id., p. 38.
1838. Each man had concealed under his coat a candle and a Loco-Foco match, and in a moment after the gas was shut off by the regular party, the hall blazed with a thousand lights.—The Jeffersonian, Albany, March 10, p. 30.
1838. Mr. James K. Paulding is a novelist and humorist of some repute, an original and hearty Loco-Foco in sentiment.—Id., June 30, p. 154.
1839. We made repeated attempts to strike a fire, but our “loco foco” matches would not ignite, and when we had recourse to flint and steel, every thing was so damp around us that our fire would not kindle.—C. F. Hoffman, ‘Wild Scenes,’ i. 62 (Lond.).
1839. Whether this article, which is more than ordinarily charged with Loco Focoism, that is with lies, and slang, and party spleen, was written by some salaried hireling, or by some disinterestedly malevolent Loco Foco, it is not important to inquire.—Nantucket Inquirer, Sept. 18.
1839. The finest Loco Foco dandy upon the Island…. None but a brawling Loco Foco.… What has Loco Focoism done for these rights and privileges? &c.—Id., Sept. 18.
1839. Last year a Locofoco mob turned the Whig members of the Pennsylvania Senate out of doors.—Havana (N.Y.) Republican, Dec. 18.
1840. The honorable Senator from New York says there is a class of Loco Focos in the city of New York, who are agrarians.—Mr. Smith of Connecticut, House of Repr., Feb. 12: Cong. Globe, p. 191.
1840. A collection of novi homines [of N.Y. City] from the proud and princely merchant, who rolls in his coach and four, to the Loco Foco that sleeps in the market and lives upon bone-soup.—Mr. Pickens of So. Carolina, the same, Feb. 13: id., p. 167, App.
1840. If [John C. Calhoun] be indeed a Loco Foco, then, sir, let me ever rejoice in the thrice hallowed name of Loco Foco!—Mr. Brown of Mississippi, the same, April 17: id., p. 390, App. [For a long piece of his bombastic speech see Appendix XXIX. to the present work.]
1840. Till every one present must have had a feeling of pity for the Ajax of locofocracy in Ohio [Senator Allen].—Niles’ National Register, Sept. 26: lix. p. 56/3.
1842. Mr. Proffitt of Indiana gave a definition of a Locofoco, whom he considered as a dissatisfied, discontented individual, willing and ready to tear down all government, in the hope that something would turn up to his own advantage. He thought there were Whig Locofocos as well as Van Buren Locofocos,—men who were always telling the people that they were badly treated.—House of Repr., June 18: Cong. Globe, p. 651.
1842. The equal rights party, either having witnessed similar occurrences, or having received some intimations that such would be the course of their opponents, had provided themselves with loco-foco matches and candles, and the room was re-lighted in a moment.—J. D. Hammond, ‘History of Political Parties,’ ii. 491. (Italics in the original.)
1843. Death of a child [in New York] from swallowing the ends of locofoco matches.—Missouri Reporter, St. Louis, May 6.
1846. They did all that unflinching Locofocos could do; they went the ticket blind; but nothing could withstand the Buckeye Whigs.—Mr. Root of Ohio, House of Repr., July 1: Cong. Globe, p. 1073, App.
a. 1848. [Nature] will snuff out the candle of existence, and all the loco-foco matches on earth will not be able to relight it.—Dow, Jun., ‘Patent Sermons,’ i. 252.
1851. Getting somewhat anxious for a smoke, I drew forth a cigar and ‘loco-foco,’ rubbed the latter across my boot, which flashed out its light full in Uncle Ben’s face.—Knick. Mag., xxxvii. 17 (Jan.).
1855. Lane left on the Jennie Clark, at 2 o’clock on Monday, to attend the locofoco territorial convention.—Weekly Oregonian, April 14.
1855. Mr. Evans has said repeatedly that he would rather be called a Locofoco than a free-soiler.—Olympia (W.T.) Pioneer, July 13.
1855. These miserable Durham locofocos, who are more destructive to Oregon than the grasshoppers.—Weekly Oregonian, Sept. 8.
1855. These locofocos are an incorrigible set of sinners, and die hard.—Id., Nov. 3.
1862. He hed lately heered that the loco focos had agin carried Indianny, and it had so worried him as to give him the tooth-ache.—Seba Smith, ‘Letters of Major Jack Downing,’ Nov. 22.
