After
the meeting Mr. Bancroft was taken to the tavern, where a supper was
served to him and to a small number of Democrats. Mr. Bancroft was
excited, and walking the room he said:--"I do believe if General
Harrison is elected, Divine Providence will interfere and prevent his
ever becoming President of the United States." These words of
disappointment seemed prophecy, when the death of Harrison occurred
within thirty days after his inauguration.
In his address Mr. Bancroft spoke with great confidence of the vote of
New York. There were some conscientious Democrats in his audience, who
remembered the remarks, and it was with great reluctance that they gave
him their votes when he was a candidate for Governor in 1844.
The more considerate members of the Democratic Party apprehended defeat
from the opening of the canvass. As early as June 17, the Whigs had
enormous mass meetings at Boston and Bunker Hill. The Democrats were
not inert. The Governor of the State was a Democrat and there were
those who had hopes of his re-election. In set-off of the great
meeting of the 17th of June at Charlestown, the Democrats prepared for
a similar meeting on Lexington Green, July 4. The concourse of people
was large. Governor Morton was present and spoke. I there met William
D. Kelley, who spoke to a portion of the crowd from a wagon.
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