ical campaign where his
military career began, and, as the anniversary of Lundy's Lane
occurred in July, extensive preparations were made for celebrating the
day at Niagara Falls, the nearest American point to the scene of his
desperate courage. The great meeting, made up of large delegations
from nearly every Northern State, rivalled in numbers and in
enthusiasm the memorable meetings of the Harrison campaign. To add to
the interest, two hundred and twenty officers and soldiers of the War
of 1812, some of whom had taken part in the battle, participated in
the festivities. Speakers declared that it inaugurated a new career of
triumph, which might be likened to the onslaught of Lundy's Lane, the
conflict of Chippewa, the siege of Vera Cruz, and the storm of Cerro
Gordo; and which, they prophesied, would end in triumphant possession,
not now of the Halls of the Montezumas, but of the White House of
American Presidents. The meeting lasted two days. Thomas Ewing, of
Ohio, acted as president, and among the speakers was Henry Winter
Davis.

But this was the only demonstration that recalled the Harrison
campaign. The drum and cannon did conspicuous work, flags floated, and
speakers found ready and patriotic listeners, but the hearts of many
people were not enlisted in the discussion of tariffs and public
improvements. They were thinking of the fugitive slave law and its
enforcement, and some believed that while speakers and editors were
charging Pierce with cowardice on the field of Churubusco they did not
themselves have the courage to voice their honest convictions on the
slavery question. As election drew near signs of victory disappeared.
Conservative Whigs did not like the candidate and anti-slavery Whigs
objected to the platform. "This wretched platform," Seward declared,
"was contrived to defeat Scott in the nomination, or to sink him in
the canvass."[416] Horace Greeley's spirited protest against the
fugitive slave plank gave rise to the phrase, "We accept the
candidate, but spit upon the platform." Among the business men of New
York City an impression obtained that if Scott became President,
Seward would control him; and their purpose to crush the soldier
seemed to centre not so much in hostility to Scott as in their desire
to destroy Seward. Greeley speaks of this "extraordinary feature" of
the campaign. "Seward has been the burden of our adversaries' song
from the outset," he writes; "and mercantile Whigs by thousa