Studies in American History 
429 
The struggle for votes was more complicated than in any 
preceding election. The Whigs were striving to hold in line 
the various elements which constituted their following, and 
for the first time the abolition vote, the temperance vote, and 
the foreign vote were important enough to affect results. 
The Whigs had the closest hold on the abolition vote, not be- 
cause their principles were more favorable, but because a 
majority of the Abolitionists had been Whigs. The temper- 
ance and foreign votes were largely Democratic, for the Demo- 
cratic party was first to see the moral and social questions 
as great non-sectional issues, and had always stood for quick 
citizenship and an easy franchise. The August elections in 
Indiana and Illinois were followed with great interest 
thruout the Northwest, and when Bigger as well as a Whig 
legislature were elected in Indiana it was clear that national 
politics was responsible. The Illinois legislature went Demo- 
cratic but the rapidly growing northern counties had not re- 
ceived a new apportionment. The Ohio State and congres- 
sional election in October was a Whig triumph, and altho 
Shannon had carried the state in 1838 by almost 6,000 votes, 
Thomas Corwin was elected by 16,000 votes. Twelve of the 
19 Congressmen were Whigs. 
The last month before the presidential election was one 
of feverish political activity which culminated in an outburst 
of personalities and mutual charges of most horrible fraud. 
The Northwest proved loyal to the old general, and only in 
Illinois was the Democratic tradition strong enough to stave 
off defeat.^® To the heavy Harrison majorities of the Western 
Reserve and other dependable Whig counties were added sub- 
stantial Whig majorities from all over the state. In Indiana 
Harrison drew heavily from the old Jackson following as 
well as from the commercial centers, and only a part of the 
strong Democratic territory of the south central part of the 
state was left intact. The 11 Democratic counties of Michi- 
gan were scattered but included Wayne and the city of Detroit. 
In Illinois the vote was more strictly sectional. Excepting 
the 11 counties along the Wabash and in the old American 
Ohio gave Harrison 148,157, Van Buren 124,782, and Birney 892 votes. The 
vote in Indiana was 65,276 to 51,695, and in Michigan 22,933 to 21,131, with 294 for 
Birney. Van Buren carried Illinois by 1,867 votes in a total vote of 93,179. The vote 
was: Van Buren, 47,443; Harrison, 45,576; and Birney, 160. The 33 electoral votes 
of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan were cast for Harrison and the 5 votes of Illinois for 
Van Buren. 
29—34488 
