WHIG CONVENTION, COLUMBUS, OHIO, 1840
Letter of JOHN M. WOODBRIDGE*
COLUMBUS. Feb. 21, 1840.
DEAR UNCLE: The object of this
communication is to inform you of
the movements in this city at the
present time. I do wish you were here
to participate with us in the
festivities of the occasion. Columbus is already
filled to overflowing. It is computed
that there will be between fifteen and
twenty thousand Whigs in the city before
the close of the week.
Truly this is a movement of the people.
You may be surprised to
learn that I am a delegate from
Washington County to a political conven-
tion as I am soon to be admitted to the
office of the Sacred Ministry, but
I feel that under existing circumstances
it is the duty of all to come up in
defence of their country. In a few
moments an organization of the dele-
gates will be made, and a Governor is
to be nominated. Thomas Corwin
is the prominent Candidate, the names of
Whittlesay [sic], Anthony and
others were named, but "Union
for the sake of Union" is the motto of all
who are opposed to our present
administration.
Feb. 22. 1840.
Last evening the City of Columbus was
brilliantly illuminated and the
committees from the Congressional districts nominated Unanimously
Thomas Corwin as their Candidate for
Governor. A little opposition was
at first manifested by the Confederates
but before the close of the Meeting
unanimity prevailed. "Harrison and
Tyler" meet with the cordial approba-
tion of the Multitude of
delegates who throng the city at this time. Ewing,
Murphy & Kelly have been the orators
of the day. General Bell was ap-
pointed President of the Convention and
Judge Wilson acted as his Alter-
nate. There have been already some
most able and Eloquent addresses.
This Morning was ushered in by the
ringing of bells Cannonading, and
reveille. Never since the days of '76
was there so much rejoicing. Every
heart beats with high anticipations of
the Success of our Cause. And a
feeling of enthusiasm and Zeal will be
carried from this convention which
will produce a revolution in the minds
of the Wavering, and despondent.
The procession is now forming. Now and
then are to be seen a log
* This letter, written from Columbus in
1840 and now preserved among the
William Woodbridge papers in the Burton
Collection of the Detroit Public Library,
has been furnished us by Dr. M. M. Quaife,
secretary-editor of the collection. The
writer, John M. Woodbridge, was a son of
Dudley Woodbridge, of Marietta, and a
nephew of Governor Willis Woodbridge of Michigan.--Editor.
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