Page:Life of Henry Clay (Schurz; v. 2).djvu/259

Rh nomination of Clay as the Whig candidate for the presidency required no ballot. It was carried with a great shout that shook the building. Theodore Frelinghuysen of New Jersey was nominated for the vice-presidency. The following day a “ratifying convention” was held, — an immense assemblage, — before which Webster solemnly renewed his allegiance to the Whig party.

Webster had, since he left Tyler's Cabinet, lived in gloomy political isolation. His question, “Where shall I go?” had not been answered by the Whig leaders. He had to answer it himself. So he returned to the Whig party, and, as Clay was the recognized chief of the Whig party, to Clay. In the summer of 1843 some of Webster's intimates made overtures for a resumption of friendly relations. The chief received the approach somewhat grandly. “I approve in the main,” Clay wrote to Peter B. Porter, “of the answer you gave to Mr. Webster's friend. I have done him [Mr. Webster] no wrong, and have therefore no reconciliation to seek. Should I be a candidate for the presidency, I shall be glad to receive his support, or that of any other American citizen; but I can enter into no arrangements, make no promises, offer no pledges, to obtain it.” Porter answered: “Our friends were delighted with this reply, and even the Webster men were obliged to acknowledge that it was perfectly correct and proper.” Webster came to Baltimore knowing that Clay's nomination was certain. In