" But neither their opposition
nor any other circumstance had given them party solidarity. National
Republicans, anti-Masons, converted Jacksonians, state rights
men--upon what broad and constructive platform could they hope to
unite? They had no lack of able presidential aspirants. There was
Clay, the National Republican candidate in 1832; there was Webster, of
whom Jackson once said that he would never be President because he was
"too far east, knows too much, and is too honest"; and there were
lesser lights, such as Judge John McLean. But, again, how could the
many discordant groups be rallied to the support of any single leader?
Jackson predicted in 1834 that his opponents would nominate William
Henry Harrison, because "they have got to take up a soldier; they have
tried orators enough." The prophecy was a shrewd one, and in 1840 it
was fulfilled to the letter. Upon the present occasion, however, the
leaders decided to place no single nominee in the field, but rather to
bring forward a number of candidates who could be expected to develop
local strength and so to split the vote as to throw the final choice
into the House of Representatives.
Pages:
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247