Final answer:
President Andrew Jackson, a slaveholder and Democrat, maintained support from the South by emphasizing states' rights on slavery and dismissing antislavery concerns through the 'gag' rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a Democrat President and slaveholder, Andrew Jackson was a controversial figure. His election in 1832 marked the rise of the Democratic Party and signaled a new style of American politics. Jackson utilized his popularity to navigate significant issues like the Nullification Crisis and leveraged his position against entities he deemed adversarial, such as the Second Bank of the United States. Yet, his administration faced growing antislavery sentiments arising during the 1830s. To appease Southern supporters and maintain unity within the party, the Democrats, including Jackson, emphasized states' rights, arguing that it was within a state's prerogative to allow or abolish slavery. This tactic sidestepped direct engagement with the slavery issue while maintaining Southern support. Moreover, Congressional leaders implemented the 'gag' rule, which admitted antislavery petitions but tabled them without discussion, in an effort to both accept and silence antislavery voices.