ELECTION OF MR. POLK.
A SUCCESSOR to Mr. Tyler was to be chosen at the close of 1844 ; but, when the treaty was rejected in June of that year, no political sagacity could predict upon whom the choice would fall. Mr. Tyler's wayward coui'se, together with other causes, had greatly curtailed the power of the Avhigs ; but there was no proof that they had lost their ascendency.
In many instances the slaveholders had boldly declared, that no candidate opposed to annexation, should receive their vote. This sentiment was uttered in the formal resolves of their popular meetings, and reiterated by the slave press. Mr. Clay was the whig candidate ; and to his influence at the South was added the cordial and unanimous support of the whigs at the North ; under his auspices the party anticipated a decided victory. The democratic party presented a much less imposing front than its rival. Its prominent candidate was Mr. Van Buren who, as well as Mr. Clay, had expressed a cautious qualified opinion adverse to annexation at the pi-esent time, and under existing circumstances ; but neither had ventured to hint an objection to the extension of slavery. The democratic nominating convention met at Baltimore late in May, and gave Mr. Van Buren a majoiity of its votes, as the democratic candidate for the Presidency. But the Southern members insisted and finally succeeded, that a majority of two- thirds should be necessary to a nomination.
' The two-tliird rule of course made those members masters of the Convention ; and it was soon found that no candi- date could be selected except the nominee of the slave- holders. Mr. Van Buren was rejected ; and the northern democracy were compelled to accept Mr. Polk in his room.