Studies in American History 
145 
called for a convention “of the friends of General William 
Henry Harrison, in this and other states” to be held at Pitts- 
burgh July 4, 1838, to further an organization to secure sup- 
port for him. In a long report, it showed reasons why he 
should be supported in preference to Clay, Webster, or Mc- 
Lean.^^^ This aroused the friends of Clay in Pennsylvania, 
who organized and secured control of the Whig organization 
in that state. Ohio was also aroused because of the action 
of Harrison’s friends in Pennsylvania. The Whig members 
of Congress, not pleased at seeing the threatened split in the 
party, changed the date to the first Monday in December and 
the place to Harrisburg. The Whig state convention at 
Columbus and the Young Men’s convention at Mount Vernon 
accepted the change and harmony was partially restored. 
In the meantime. Clay was growing in strength. The politi- 
cal outlook in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana was very bright.^^^ 
In fact, it was too bright for the friends of Harrison, who 
again showed signs of going on in their support of Harrison 
regardless of the national convention. The Columbus Journal 
and Register and the Gallipolis Journal took this position. 
This movement did not command a very large following, 
altho the possible secession of the Harrison wing may have 
been an element in nominating him at the Harrisburg con- 
vention. The Ohio state convention nominated Harrison sub- 
ject to a decision of a national convention to be the candidate 
for the individual support of the Whigs of the Union for 
that office.^^^ It also agreed to support Clay or Webster.^^^ 
Thruout this period, the Whig press was urging harmony.^^® 
It even urged that delegates be not instructed so that there 
would be nothing in the way of a choice of the most avail- 
able candidate at the national convention. Francis Granger 
said that 
.... every Whig, who may be honored with the public confidence 
of his party, is to take the place assigned to him without a murmur, and 
to apply his best energies to secure a triumphant result.”^ 
A slavish adherence to party was necessary to make pos- 
sible such methods as were to be employed at the Whig 
National Intelligencer, April 20, 1838. 
Colton, The Private Correspondence of Henry Clay, 440, 441 ; ibid., 426, 427. 
National Intelligencer, April 20, 1838. 
^^^Ibid., June 6, 1838. 
Niles’ Register, LIV, 321. 
116 National Intelligencer, July 13, 1838. 
iii2Vt7es’ Register, LV, 185. 
