r refused to
recognise their subsequent convention at Utica. Under these
circumstances thirst for revenge as well as a desire to nominate a
winning candidate controlled the selection of presidential delegates;
and in the round-up seven favoured Fillmore, two preferred Webster,
while twenty-four supported Scott. Naturally the result was a great
shock to Fillmore. The Silver-Grays had been growing heartily sick of
their secession, and if they needed further evidence of its rashness
the weakness of their leader in his home State furnished it.

Fillmore's strength proved to be chiefly in the South. His vigorous
execution of the fugitive slave law had been more potent than his
unsparing use of patronage; and when the Whig convention assembled at
Baltimore on June 16 the question whether that law should be declared
a finality became of supreme importance. Fillmore could not stand on
an anti-slavery platform, and a majority of the New Yorkers refused
their consent to any sacrifice of principle. But, in spite of their
protest, the influence of a solid southern delegation, backed by the
marvellous eloquence of Rufus Choate, forced the passage of a
resolution declaring that "the compromise acts, the act known as the
fugitive slave law included, are received and acquiesced in by the
Whig party of the United States as a settlement in principle and
substance of the dangerous and exciting questions which they embrace.
We insist upon their strict enforcement; and we deprecate all further
agitation of the question thus settled, as dangerous to our peace, and
will discountenance all efforts to continue or renew such agitation
whenever, wherever, or however the attempt may be made." A roll call
developed sixty-six votes in the negative, all from the North, and
one-third of them from New York.

This was a Fillmore-Webster platform, and the first ballot gave them a
majority of the votes cast, Fillmore having 133, Webster 29, Scott
131. The number necessary to a choice was 147. The activity of the
Fillmore delegates, therefore, centred in an effort to concentrate the
votes of the President and his secretary of state. Both were in
Washington, their relations were cordial, and an adjournment of the
convention over Sunday gave abundant opportunity to negotiate. When it
became manifest that Webster's friends would not go to Fillmore, an
extraordinary effort was made to bring the President's votes to
Webster. This was agreeable to Fillmore, wh