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Another occasion for the reprobation of the Administration, was the extravagant expenditures in prosecuting the Florida War. Denunciatory speeches from the halls of Congress went forth to the people, and were reproduced from the rostrums throughout the whole land.

These multiplied influences which were brought to bear, wrought their inevitable result. The tide was overwhelming. Many former friends of the Executive gave way before its onward sweep. Little enthusiasm could be enkindled in behalf of Mr. Van Buren, especially at the North; while a vast pressure was created against him in that part of the Union, from his supposed leanings in favor of Southern measures and institutions. He was denominated, during the canvass, a Northern man with Southern principles."

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On the other hand, Gen. Harrison was from and of the people. His military reputation did for him what the same feature had formerly accomplished for Gen. Jackson. The charge of the Democrats that Gen. Harrison had lived in a "log cabin" and drank "hard cider," was seized upon by the Whigs and made the talisman of the party and of victory. 'Log cabins " became a regular feature in processions, and at mass meetings, which were held throughout the country, and which were often measured by the acre.

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The result was easily foreseen; Gen. Harrison was elected by a rousing majority, receiving 234 of the electoral votes, to 60 for Mr. Van Buren. For Vice-President, Mr. Tyler received the same vote as Gen. Harrison ; R. M. Johnson received 48; L. W. Tazewell 11, and James K. Polk 1.

Mr. Van Buren's administration expired March 3, 1841. The prominent characteristic of which has been denominated "the completion of the 'divorce of bank

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and State;' a policy which existed just long enough to prostrate the party which brought it into being; which expired at the elevation of the opposing party-was revived with the restoration of the Democracy, and has since continued, receiving at least the general acquiescence of the popular will."

CHAPTER XI.

ADMINISTRATION OF WILLIAM H. HARRISON AND JOHN TYLER, 1841-1845.

GENERAL HARRISON was inaugurated President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1841. The city of Washington was thronged with people from different parts of the Union; and, perhaps, on no similar occasion was there so large an attendance of the people, and so marked a degree of popular enthusiasm. Chief Justice Taney administered the oath of office. The inaugural was pronounced with energy and clearness. It exceeded the ordinary length of similar communications from his predecessors. A general review of the Government was submitted, setting forth the errors of its administration, and the defects in the Constitution.

A danger, paramount to the absorption by the Government of powers reserved to the States, was that of centering the powers that belonged to its several departments in one. The President should not be re-elective. The veto power had been greatly subverted from its legitimate office, and rendered the instrument of one man setting at defiance the expressed will of the country; it did violence to the doctrine that the majority rule. The executive power of removal and appointment was discussed; the sub-treasury scheme disapproved; the agitation of slavery

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deprecated, and a devout confidence expressed in the Christian religion.

'Gen. Harrison nominated as his cabinet officers, Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, Secretary of State; Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury; John Bell, of Tennessee, Secretary of War; George E. Badger, of North Carolina, Secretary of the Navy; Francis Granger, of New York, Postmaster-General; and John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, Attorney-General.

DEATH OF GEN. HARRISON

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TYLER.

INAUGURATION OF MR.

Great expectations were centred in the new Administration. None had ever possessed a larger share of the sympathy of the people, and commenced under more cheering and auspicious circumstances. No anticipations were more sadly disappointed. One short month after the inauguration, before a distinctive line of policy could be established, after a brief illness of only eight days, President Harrison died. He expired at Washington, on the 4th day of April. The people regarded this mysterious dispensation of Providence a great national calamity.

On the death of President Harrison, the Cabinet addressed a letter to Mr. Tyler informing him of that event. He immediately started for Washington, where he arrived on the 6th, and took the usual oath of office as the acting President. The Cabinet appointed by General Harrison was retained.

The inaugural address of Mr. Tyler was brief. He accorded with the call issued by Gen. Harrison, summoning a special session of Congresss. That body accordingly convened on the 31st of May, 1841.

John White, a Whig member from Kentucky, was

elected Speaker of the House. Mr. White received 121 votes; J. W. Jones, of Virginia, 84; scattering 16. The Whigs had a majority in the Senate.

The message was devoted mainly to the consideration of financial measures. It was cautiously worded on the subject of a National Bank, and not entirely free from ambiguity. It was believed, however, that the President would sanction any measure which might be enacted by Congress.

The message was accompanied by the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, which strongly recommended the establishment of a bank.

THE SUB-TREASURY AND A NATIONAL BANK.

A bill for the repeal of the sub-treasury was introduced into the Senate and ordered to be engrossed; yeas 30, nays 16. It passed that body on the 9th of June, by a vote of 29 to 18. It was taken up in the House and passed August 9, 134 in favor, to 87 against it. It received the signature of the President and became a law. In order to prevent defalcations, of which a great many, and for large amounts, had occurred under the administration of Mr. Van Buren, this act made it a felony for any officer charged with the safe-keeping, transfer, or disbursement of the public revenue, to convert it to his own use; or to loan it with or without interest; or to make an investment of it in any manner.

The President having signified his desire that the Secretary of the Treasury should be called on by Congress for a plan of a bank, Congress complied with this wishthe House on the 3d of June, the Senate on the 7th. The Secretary's report was submitted on the 12th. It was to be designated, "The fiscal Bank of the United States,"

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