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light processions, floats, transparencies, orgies of protracted 
spellbinding and the coon skin and inevitable barrel of cider 
ceased almost to be a means and became an end in themselves. 
Well might the Democrats regard their opponents as madmen. 
Whatever the reasons which influenced the national Whig 
convention against a declaration of policy, there was no lack 
of platforms among the Whigs of the Northwest. The Sub- 
Treasury System was denounced, executive usurpation and 
governmental extravagance attacked, and Van Buren assailed 
as an '‘artful politician and selfish experimenter’’.^^ 
In the minds of the Democrats there was no lack of definite- 
ness about Whig principles. They were opposed to universal 
suffrage, naturalization of foreigners, and the doctrine of 
instructions to representatives. They favored legislating for 
property and not for men. When asked for General Harri- 
son’s views on a National Bank they quoted doggerel and sang 
songs to obscure the issues, interest the illiterate and ignorant, 
and deceive the people. The Bank aristocracy, treasonably 
allied with the bankers of Europe, furnished the funds for 
these doings. In striking contrast to Blue Light Federalism 
and such political tomfoolery stood the time-tested doctrines 
of Thomas Jefferson: “equality of men; acquiescence in the 
decision of the majority; no special favors to banks or 
merchants; banks to be founded on substance and not on 
shadow; bank and state to be separated; econom.y in govern- 
ment; diffusion of information and freedom of religion”. 
For the first time the abolition movement played an im- 
portant part in the national election in the Northwest. Ohio 
with its New England Western Reserve felt the influence 
most, and it was in that state that the Democratic attacks 
against Whiggery and abolition were most common. When 
Thomas Corwin was nominated for governor, the Ohio States- 
man, official Democratic organ, said that Wade, Morris, and 
King had put him across in an assembly of bankers, swindlers, 
gentlemen of leisure, and office-holders. “Whiggery and aboli- 
tion are wedded in bonds indissoluble.”®^ 
In addition to attacks on political views the candidates were 
For state declaration of policy, see Sangamo Journal, August 9, 1839 ; Detroit 
Daily Advertiser, July 14 and 17, 1840. 
Ohio Statesman, February 25, April 3, 1840. 
