Chapter 1

THE HARRISON CAMPAIGN--THE BEGINNING OF ANTI-SLAVERY POLITICS. The "Hard-cider" Frolic of 1840--The Issues--Swartwout and Political Corruption--The Demand for a Change--Character of Gen. Harrison-- Personal Defamation--Mass-meetings and Songs--Crushing Defeat of the Democrats--First Appearance of the Slavery Issue in Politics-- Pro-slavery Attitude of Harrison and Van Buren--Events favoring the Growth of Anti-slavery Opinion--Clay and Mendenhall--Texas' Annexation and John Tyler.