BELL, JoHN (1797-1869). An American statesman. He was born near Nashville, Tenn., graduated at Cumberland College (now Nash ville University) in 1814; studied and practiced law, and in 1817 was elected to the State Senate. lie served in Congress from 1827 to 1841, for ten years as chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs; and, though at a free trader, he was afterwards won over to protec tion, and took an active part in the debates upon the tariff. Ile supported General Jackson in the Presidential campaign of 1832, but ill 1834 joined the newly established Whig )'arty, and was elected as its representative. over James K. Polk, to the Speakership of the House. In 1841 he became a member of President Harri son's Cabinet, as Secretary of War; hilt, with the rest of the Cabinet, excepting Webster, re signed (September 11) on account of the rup tare between President Tyler, who had suc ceeded Harrison, and the Whig organization.
F:ont 1847 to 1859 he was a member of the 1 States Senate. and as such was promi nent for his opposition to the spoliation of Mexico, to the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and to the Lecompton Constitution of Kansas; while he actively supported the Com promise o: 1850. In 1860 he was nominated tor the i'resideney by the Constitutional Union Party (q.v.), and in the ensuing election re ceived the electoral votes of Kentucky, Tennes see, and Virginia. At first, though strongly opposed to the policy of 'coercion,' Le deprecated secession, and seemed disposed to support Presi dent Lincoln; but he soon gave his adherence to the cause of the Confederacy, and advised his State to withdraw from the Union.