Chapter 2

CAMPAIGN OF 1844--ANNEXATION AND SLAVERY. The Nomination of Clay--His Position on the Slavery Question and Annexation--Van Buren's Letter to Hammett, and its Effect upon the South--His Repudiation, and the Nomination of Polk--The Surprise of the Country--Unbounded Confidence of the Whigs--The Course of the New York Democrats--The "Kane Letter"--Trouble among the Whigs on the Annexation Question--Fierceness of the Contest, and singular Ability of the Leaders--The Effect of Clay's Defeat upon the Whigs --Causes of the Defeat--The Abolitionists, and the Abuse heaped upon them--Cassius M. Clay--Mr. Hoar's Mission to South Carolina-- Election of John P. Hale--Annexation, and War with Mexico--Polk's Message, and the Wilmot Proviso--The Oregon Question, and Alex. H. Stephens.