Briggs ' stance as a Cotton Whig put him in opposition to these forces .
During Briggs ' time as governor , abolitionist activists continued to make inroads against both the Whigs and Democrats , primarily making common cause with the Democrats against the dominant Whigs .
Briggs ' stance as a Whigs   put Briggs in opposition to these forces .
During Briggs ' time as governor , abolitionist activists continued to make inroads against both the Whigs and Democrats , primarily making common cause with the Democrats against the dominant Whigs .