Thus it happened that neither of
the chiefs in whose honor the banquet was arranged, was in attendance
on the occasion.
I was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Invitations. These were
sent to leading Democrats in all parts of the country and especially
were they sent to distinguished members of Congress. The answers
contained only the most delicate and remote allusions to the object
of the festival. The letters were turned over to the officers of the
meeting. For myself, I retained only the envelope of the letter of Mr.
Calhoun with his frank upon the right-hand corner. I had not
previously seen a letter envelope.
Governor Morton's administration was a failure, and at the election in
1843 he was defeated by Governor Briggs. The State was a Whig State,
and a Democratic administration for two successive years was an
impossibility. My impressions of Governor Morton underwent several
changes. Previous to his election in 1843 I had regarded him as one
of the able men of the country. His lack of courage, and his apparent
desertion of his friends in 1843 produced an unfavorable impression
upon me both of his character and of his abilities. As to his
character, my impressions remain. Of his abilities I can have no doubt.
With some exceptions the policy and measures of the Democratic Party
in 1843 were crude and unwise.
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