Studies in American History 
173 
should not be commended to the electors, if a two-thirds vote 
in his favor could be had. But it presently appeared that 
the opposition to him was so determined that it would not 
subside even after such a nomination, whereupon the opposi- 
tion ceased and the resolution was unanimously adopted. The 
convention then adjourned until 4 o’clock in the afternoon. 
Upon reassembling some less important matters were dis- 
posed of by the convention. Several prominent men of the 
party delivered addresses to the convention, after which the 
meeting adjourned sine die.^-^ 
There was still another convention, small in numbers and 
local in character, which made another nomination for the 
office of president. The Abolition party held a convention 
at Warsaw, Genesee County, N.Y., at the beginning of 
December, 1839, and nominated James G. Birney of New 
York for president, and Thomas Earl of Pennsylvania for 
vice-president."^® There were also other Abolition conventions 
held, which nominated the above candidates, the most im- 
portant single one being held at Albany, N.Y., on April 1, 
1840 .®^ 
The question of slavery had been much discussed in Con- 
gress and by the press for many years, but the issue was not 
yet a really important one in presidential elections. As will 
be seen from the platform of the Democrats, that party was 
ready to take its stand against any federal interference with 
slavery, while the Whigs were not, so long as they constituted 
a party, willing to make any issue with the Democrats on that 
subject.^® 
After the Democratic convention had adjourned, the Whigs 
jeered at the Democrats as not being sufficiently united to 
name a candidate for vice-president. But the Democrats 
hurled back the rather neat reply that if they were not agreed 
upon men, they were united upon principles. This was far 
more than the Whigs could say for themselves.®® 
The campaign began early in the year 1840, especially on 
the part of the Whigs. A celebration was held on May 9, 
by the Whigs of New York City, in honor of Harrison’s 
victory at Fort Meigs in 1813. The Democrats also began 
^^Ibid., LVIII, 152. 
Stanwood, A History of the Presidency, I, 202. 
Garrison, WesUvcm'd Extension, 47. 
Stanwood, A History of the Presidency, I, 202. 
^^Ihid, I, 202. 
