BARN'BURN'ERS. In American political
history, a faction of the Democratic party in
New York State after 1844, so called (in allusion
to a Dutchman who was said to have burned his
barn to free it of rats) from their supposed
eagerness for radical reform measures — especially
for such measures as would prevent the extension
of slavery in the Territories. Unable to secure
satisfactory recognition in the Democratic
National Convention of 1848, they joined the Free
Soilers, and with them nominated Van Buren for
the Presidency. Their vote, dividing the
Democratic strength, secured the election of Taylor, the
Whig nominee. In 1852 they reunited with their
opponents, the Hunkers, though the two
factions did not work together in harmony until
several years later. Before this time the name
‘Softs,’ or ‘Soft-shells,’ had replaced the name
‘Barnburners.’ See ; ; .