Studies in American History 
157 
fixed principles, any patriotism or talents.”^ Of course, this 
was the opinion of one who was among the most bitter op- 
ponents of Van Buren and his policies. 
Such was the political turmoil of the country that the state 
elections in 1837 and 1838 resulted unfavorably to the Demo- 
crats. The most of the elections of members of the Twenty- 
sixth Congress took place in 1838 ; and they were so decidedly 
averse to the Democrats that extraordinary exertions were 
required in those Congressional elections which were not 
held until the spring or summer of 1839 to insure their ma- 
jority against extinction. So close was the contest that, when 
the House assembled in December, 1839, there were 119 
Democrats, 118 opposition, and 5 members from New Jersey 
whose seats were contested.® 
The political and economic unrest of the country may have 
been the cause for the early meetings of some of the national 
conventions for the purpose of nominating candidates for the 
election of 1840. The first of these to meet was the national 
Anti-Masonic convention. This convention met on Tuesday, 
November 13, 1838, in Temperance Hall at Philadelphia, but 
it transacted no business on that day except to pass a resolu- 
tion to reassemble on the following day for the purpose of 
transacting the business of the convention. The convention 
accordingly met again on Wednesday, November 14, for 
transacting the business in hand.® 
A large number of members were present, and the room 
was otherwise thronged with citizens, who seemed to take 
a great interest in the proceedings. The convention organ- 
ized by electing Harmar Denny of Pennsylvania, president; 
Henry Cotheal of New York, Eleazer Clough of Massa- 
chusetts, Edward S. Williams of Rhode Island, and Rufus 
Beach of Ohio, vice-presidents. John Williamson of Penn- 
sylvania and J. A. Stevens of New Jersey were elected as 
secretaries. The committee which had been appointed to pre- 
pare business for the convention presented the following re- 
port : 
(1) That they recommend to the convention to proceed to the nomina- 
tion of candidates for the offices of president and vice-president of the 
United States, at 10:30 of this day (Wednesday); 
^ Niles’ Register, LV, 20. 
** Stan wood, A History of the Presidency, I, 192. 
® Niles’ Register, LV, 221. 
