148 
Indiana University 
ing Harrison for president and Ritner for governor were 
offered, but were finally withdraw'n and a new convention to 
be held at Philadelphia on the second Tuesday of November, 
1838, was called.^^^ This convention nominated Harrison 
for president and Webster for vice-president, but the latter 
was later sacrificed to the interests of the southern Whigs.^^® 
Thaddeus Stevens was the chief man of the convention. He 
spoke against the Sub-Treasury Bill, but said nothing on 
Anti-Masonry.i2® About the first of June, 1839, the Anti- 
Masons made their last public effort in national politics.^^^ 
The greatest obstacle in the way of Clay’s nomination was 
the abolition vote. Clay was aware of this.^®® He caused the 
presentation of, and perhaps wrote, the abolition petition 
from the District of Columbia, which gave him a chance to 
declare his position in a set speech on abolition.^®® In this 
speech. Clay kept a fairly neutral ground, but his aim was 
to secure the support of the South without offending the 
moderate Abolitionists. The radical Abolitionists were at- 
tacked. Before delivering his speech, he read it to Mr. 
Prentiss to get his opinion of its effect on the South. Prentiss 
feared it might cause him to lose both the abolition and the 
southern vote. It was at this time when Clay is said to have 
declared, ‘T had rather be right than be President. While 
Clay did not say anything to offend the majority of the Aboli- 
tionists, he said enough to enrage the most extreme and 
to make all others suspect hirn.^^^ 
After the close of the special session of Congress, Clay 
made a tour thru the East. He was received in New York 
and New England with great popular demonstrations. But 
in politics, the controlling forces are not always the most 
apparent. While in New York, Thurlow Weed met him and 
tried to sidetrack him with gentle hints, but Clay was not 
convinced. Weed retired and perfected his plan to keep Clay 
from being nominated. Weed claimed that he was a friend 
134 Niles’ Register, LIII, 68. 
135 Charles McCarthy, “The Anti-Masonic Party”, American Historical Association 
Annual Report, 1902, I, 536. 
13® The Globe, November 19, 1838. 
131 Niles’ Register, LVI, 209. 
133 Colton, The PHvate Correspondence of Henry Clay, 429-431. 
13® Adams (ed.). Memoirs of John Quincy Adams, X, 116 ; Schurz, Life of Henry Clay, 
II, 164. 
110 The Globe, March 27, 1839. 
141 National Aegis, February 20, 1839. 
143 Jameson (ed.). Correspondence of Calhoun, 424, 
