the largest slaveholders
in the country, whose laurels had been gained in the odious
Mexican War, upon a platform silent upon the engrossing subject
of the extension of slavery, could not be borne. The temper
of the Whig National Convention was exhibited in a way to
irritate the lovers of freedom in Massachusetts. When some
allusion was made to her expressed opinions, it was received
with groans and cries of "Curse Massachusetts." But, on the
whole, the Massachusetts Whigs shared the exultant anticipation
of triumph, and of regaining the power from which they had
been excluded since the time of John Quincy Adams, except
for the month of Harrison's short official life. But as the
convention was about to adjourn, intoxicated with hope and
triumph, Charles Allen, a delegate from Massachusetts, a man
of slender figure, rose, and with a quiet voice declared the
Whig Party dissolved. Never was a prediction received with
more derision; never was prediction more surely fulfilled.
He was reinforced by Henry Wilson, afterward Vice-President
of the United States.

Immediately on their return from Philadelphia, a call was
circulated for a convention to be held at Worcester of all
persons opposed to the nomination of Cass and Taylor. The
call was written by E. R. Hoar. My father, Samuel Hoar, was
its first signer.

This is the call. It should be preserved in a form more
enduring than the leaflet, of which I possess, perhaps, the
only copy in existence.

"TO THE PEOPLE OF MASSACHUSETTS.

"The Whig National Convention have nominated General Taylor
for President of the United States. In so doing they have
exceeded their just authority, and have proposed a candidate
whom no Northern Whig is bound to support.

"HE IS NOT A WHIG, when tried by the standard of our party
organization. He has never voted for a Whig candidate, has
declared that the party must not look to him as an exponent
of its principles, that he would accept the nomination of
the Democratic Party, and that he would not submit his claims
to the decision of the Whigs, acting through their regularly
constituted Convention.

"HE IS NOT A WHIG, if judged by the opinions he entertains
upon questions of public policy. Upon the great questions
of currency and Finance, of Internal Improvements, of Protection
to American Industry, so far from agreeing with the Whigs,
he has distinctly avowed that he has formed no opinion at
all.

"HE IS NOT A WHIG, if measu