It was led by men who had been prominent in the Whig Party in its last
days. Hallett reported a resolution in which was this expression:
"We are opposed to slavery throughout all God's heritage." When the
Democratic Party regained power in 1853 this declaration threatened to
impede Hallett in his plans for office and influence. Pierce made
allowances for the circumstances and rewarded Hallett with the office
of district attorney. The resolutions, however, tended to conciliate
the anti-slavery element of the State and in many towns and in some of
the counties the Democrats and Free-soilers coalesced and elected a
formidable minority of the Legislature. The result of the coalition
demonstrated the possibility of a combination which could control the
State. The Convention gave me the nomination, and without any serious
opposition. Stephen C. Phillips of Salem, was the candidate of the
Free-soil Party. Together we had a majority of the popular vote, and
Governor Briggs was elected Governor by the Legislature. The plurality
rule had not then been adopted.

In 1850 each of the three parties nominated the same candidates and the
coalition in the towns, cities and counties was much more complete.
The victory was decisive. When the Legislature assembled, Henry
Wilson, Free-soiler, was chosen president of the Senate and General
Banks, Democrat, was chosen speaker of the House. The candidates of
the Democratic Party were elected to the office of Governor and
Lieutenant Governor. The council was divided between the parties. The
selection of a candidate for the Senate was left for the Free-soil
Party. The choice fell upon Mr. Sumner, although there was a large
public sentiment, especially in the Democratic Party, in favor of Mr.
Phillips. Such was my own opinion at the time, but the result showed
the wisdom or good fortune of the selection that was made. Mr.
Phillips was a man of education, a merchant by profession, and a
gentleman who enjoyed the confidence of the public. He was an Anti-
Slavery man upon principle, but his intellectual movements were slow,
and his power as a forensic speaker was moderate only.

In January, 1851, when these events were occurring, the prospects of
the National Democratic Party had improved. The Henshaw wing of the
party in Massachusetts were anticipating a success in 1852. Mr.
Webster had made his famous and fatal speech on the 7th of March, 1850.
President Taylor had died, and Mr