WHIG, one of a political party which hail its origin in England in the 17th century, in the reign of the Stuarts, when great contests existed respecting the royal prerogatives. Those who supported the king in his high claims were called To ries, and the advocates of popular rights were called Whigs. 'the term is of Scot tish origin, and was first 'Lied in the reign of Charles II. According to Bishop Burnet, it is derived from a word which was used by the peasants of the south-west of Scotland, in driving their horses ; the drivers being called whigg,amores, contracted to arhiggs. In 1648, after the news of the Duke of Ham iltou's defeat, the clergy stirred up the people to rise and march to Edinburgh, and they themselves marched at the head of their parishes. The Marquis of Ar gyle and his party came and headed them. This was called the trhiggamores' inroad. and ever after that all that op posed the court came, in contempt, to be called whiggs; and from Scotland, the word was brought to England, where it has since continued to be used as the distinguishing appellation of the political party opposed to the Tories. It was
first assumed as a party name by that body of politicians who were most active in placing William III. on the throne of England. Generally speaking, the prin ciples of the Whigs have been of a pop ular character, and their measures, Whrn in power, tending to increase the demo cratic influence in the constitution In Ainerlean history, the friends and sup porters of the war and the principles of the revolution, were called whigs. and those who opposed them were called Tories and royalists. One of the Iwo great political parties in the United States, is called whis,r.