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Indiana University 
united in support of it, but not enough to make Congress 
independent of the executive. The significance of the elec- 
tion was mainly negative. It meant only that a little more 
than half the voters of the United States were for the moment 
arrayed against “Van Burenism”, but what alternative they 
wished was not clear.^^ 
The inauguration on March 4, 1841, was a great occasion 
for the Whigs. They flocked to Washington in large num- 
bers, many of them attracted thither by the hope of offices 
to be distributed by the new president to his party friends. 
There was an imposing procession of volunteer militia to 
escort General Harrison to the capital. The president-elect 
had arrived at the seat of government on the last day of 
February, apparently in the enjoyment of perfect health. He 
rode upon a white charger, flanked on either side by a body- 
guard of personal friends. The ceremony, which was wit- 
nessed by a vast concourse of people, was preceded by the 
inauguration of Mr. Tyler as vice-president, in the Senate 
chamber. After the long line of official and nonofficial wit- 
nesses had come from the building to the eastern portico. 
General Harrison arose and delivered his inaugural address, 
save the last paragraph. Then the oath of office was admin- 
istered by Chief Justice Taney, and the President pronounced 
the closing sentences of his address. While the cheers of the 
victorious Whigs were still rising, he retired, entered his 
private carriage, and drove to the White House.^^ 
But the joy of the Whigs was sooned turned to sorrow, by 
the death of the new president just one month from the date 
of his inauguration. The anticipated legislative reforms of 
the Whigs were doomed to disappointment upon the accession 
of Mr. Tyler to the presidency. He was in reality a repre- 
sentative of the State Rights element of the Whig party, and 
thus was soon out of sympathy with the program of legisla- 
tion proposed by Mr. Clay. This led to a split between Tyler 
and the greater portion of the party by which he had been 
elected. The result was that the Whigs profited little from 
their victory in so far as the enacting into law of a construc- 
tive program was concerned. 
Garrison, Westnxird Extension, 49, 50. 
Niles’ Register, LX, 18-20. 
