and many fortunes which, owing to the speculations current at the time, had a fictitious basis, vanished like a vision. Financial distress pervaded the whole land.

When the XXVth Congress met in extra session, it was found that the Whigs had made unusual gains, lacking only fourteen of having a majority in the House. A number of Democratic members sympathized with them, and a small number of the latter, calling themselves Conservatives, voted with them on financial questions. In the following Congress, though the Whigs continued to gain, they did not secure a majority. But their gradual increase indicated the tendency in the public mind in favor of their political views. The Antislavery sentiment meanwhile was also increasing in the freelabor States, and in consequence a Liberty party was formed. This organization nominated (1839) national candidates— James G. Birney, of New York, for President, and Francis Le Moyne, of Pennsylvania, for the second place.

To prepare for the impending Presidential election the Whig National Convention met earlier than usual at Harrisburg (December 4, 1839), and nominated General William H. Harrison a second time for the office of President, and John Tyler, of Virginia, for the second place. The following May, the Democrats met in convention in Baltimore and unanimously renominated Mr. Van Buren, but made no nomination for Vice-president. Their platform was apparently a step backward. It denied the authority of the Constitution to aid internal improvements or protect manufactures, or to charter a National Bank. This platform of principles had the effect of rousing a more intense opposition among the Whigs, and also of influencing in the same direction a large number of progressive Democrats.

At the election the Whigs were overwhelmingly successful, the electoral votes being for Harrison, nearly 4 to 1. Here was a break in the control of the National Government by the Democracy, and it was brought about largely by the men within its own ranks who thought for themselves and refused to be trammeled in their action by the traditions of the party. Harrison was also supported by independent citizens of all classes.

The conduct of the canvass had been with far more than ordinary excitement, the greater portion of the people throughout the land having become so impressed with the importance of the principles at issue that their enthusiasm carried them triumphantly to the result. An immense concourse assembled at Washington from all parts of the country to witness the inauguration. But the Whig party was doomed to be sadly disappointed. One month after entering upon his duties President Harrison died, and, according to the Constitution, John Tyler assumed the office.

Tyler failed to carry out the principles on which he had been elected, gradually co-operated with the Democracy, and was charged by those who elected him with deliberately betraying the trust committed to his hand.

In order to aid in remedying the financial disorders of the country both Houses of Congress passed, with fair majorities, a bill to incorporate "The Fiscal Bank of the United States, which should facilitate exchanges throughout the Union.' From this bill was carefully eliminated the Democratic objections to the old United States Bank, yet the President refused to give it his signature on the plea that it was unconstitutional. Another bill was passed, modified in its provisions in accordance with his own suggestions. This he also refused to sign. This double dealing of the President roused intense indignation in the party that had elevated him to the office.

Meanwhile the compromise tariff of 1833, with its decreasing sliding scale, was found insufficient to produce enough revenue to defray the current expenses of the Government. Congress attempted to remedy the evil by re-enacting the original tariff of that year. This bill was vetoed. Another bill was then prepared and passed, and it met the same fate. Finally a third was modified in such manner as to receive the President's signature. This was the noted tariff of 1842. These contests between the President and the Whig majority in Congress continued through his administration.

Another question which had an effect on parties was that of the annexation of Texas. To this the Whigs of the free-labor States were decidedly opposed, as it involved the extension of

slavery, while for that reason some of the Whigs of the slavelabor States favored the scheme. Here was an element that in due time insured a change in the relations of the existing political parties.

Another Presidential contest, that of 1844, was approaching, and the several nominations were made in the usual manner. The Liberty party was the first to move. Meeting in Buffalo (1843) it again nominated James G. Birney for President, and Thomas Morris, of Ohio, for the second place.

The Whigs held their National Convention at Baltimore, May 1, 1844. They announced their usual platform of principles, together with the distribution of the surplus revenue among the States. They nominated Henry Clay, of Kentucky, for the Presidency and Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, for the second place. The Democratic convention met also in Baltimore on May 27th, 1844. They still proclaimed themselves strict constructionists, but introduced some new articles of political faith-one demanding the reoccupation of Oregon up to 54° 40′ North latitude, and another the annexation of Texas. They nominated James K. Polk, of Tennessee, for the first place on the ticket and George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, for the second. The Democratic candidates were elected.

The Whig party was, politically speaking, the lineal descendant of the Federal, the leaders of which introduced and carried. out, during the first twelve years of our Nation's life, that general policy of government which remains to this day. The Democratic party had its origin in the clubs formed for the express purpose of opposing the policy just mentioned. One was a party of construction and progress, the other of obstruction and reaction. The Democratic leaders held their followers in hand by means of caucuses and conventions; the rank and file implicitly obeyed and voted as directed. On the other hand, the Whig leaders never held the members of their party effectually in leading-strings. In his History of Political Parties (pages 5 and 6) that prince of party strategists, Martin Van Buren, says: "For more than half a century the Democratic party, whenever it has been wise enough to employ the caucus or convention system, has been successful." He sneers at the

sagacious leaders" of the Federalists, and afterward of the Whigs, because of this lack of success in holding the members of their party in the voting lines.

A remarkable impulse was given to the diffusion of political knowledge by the anti-slavery agitation, which commenced about 1833. The vivid presentation of the subject by lectures and general discussions roused an interest that never flagged, but increased till the end was accomplished. This was especially the case in the free-labor States, but in the South such discussions were prohibited by the influence of the slave-holders, while the circulation of newspapers containing them was forbidden.

When President Polk assumed office (1845-1849) the terms. for the annexation of Texas offered by the last administration had been accepted by the Texas Congress, and also by a convention elected by the people. This movement produced protests from Mexico, and threats of war on her part. A crisis was hastened by the advance of Gen. Zachary Taylor with a military force to the east bank of the Rio Grande, thus occupying a territory that was in dispute. It gave occasion to the first conflict of the Mexican war at Palo Alto (May 8, 1846). The Whigs disapproved of the war, as unnecessary, believing the end could be secured by negotiation. But they supported it till its conclusion. The North saw in its Democratic and pro-slavery backing the subtle purpose of strengthening the slave-power and of committing to its maintenance and supremacy the whole weight of the country and of its political administration.

The President asked for an appropriation to be applied in purchasing territory; this was granted, but the House inserted a condition "that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said Territory, except for crime, whereof the party shall be duly convicted" (Aug. 1846). This was the famous "Wilmot proviso," thus designated from the name of the member who introduced it. For this proviso the northern Democratic members and the Whigs voted; the bill was sent to the Senate, but Congress adjourned before that body acted upon the measure.

The "Proviso" has become historical, as its passage in the House opened up the question of slavery in a new phase. To this proviso may be traced indirectly the breaking up of the Whig party. But it led to a greater and more influential combination of political elements. The entire slave-labor States were, with one voice, Whig and Democratic, opposed to the proviso. The result was that the Southern wing of the Whig party became thoroughly disorganized, while the Northern wing of the Democratic was much divided.

These discordant political elements took practical form in the impending Presidential canvass. On May 22, 1848, the Democratic National Convention met at Baltimore. It adopted the platforms of the two preceding conventions, and took care to reiterate its faith in strict construction. It nominated Lewis Cass, of Michigan, for the Presidency, and William O. Butler, of Kentucky, for the Vice-presidency. On June 7 the Whig Convention met in Philadelphia, and nominated Gen. Zachary Taylor, of Louisiana, and Millard Fillinore, of New York. For prudential reasons they adopted no platform.

There had grown up among certain Northern Democrats a strong sentiment against the extension of slavery into free territory, hence they had voted for the Wilmot Proviso. The Whigs and this portion of the Democratic party were not yet fully prepared to take decided ground on the slavery question. This portion of the latter party were indignant at the harsh manner in which Mr. Van Buren, their favorite, had been denied the renomination in the Convention of 1844. Two delegations had gone from New York to that Convention at Baltimore which nominated Mr. Cass. Both delegations were, however, admitted with the understanding that the vote of the State should be divided between them. It happened on account of some dissatisfaction that the delegation that was opposed to the extension of slavery into free territory withdrew from the Convention. After the nominations just mentioned. were made, on August 9th these dissatisfied Democrats met in Convention at Buffalo, and assumed the party name of Freesoil Democrats. They nominated Mr. Van Buren for the office of President, and Charles Francis Adams of Massachusetts for