Foreign emigration, especially from Ireland and Germany, had now assumed vast proportions, and these emigrants invariably voted the Democratic ticket, that being regarded by them as essentially the party of the people, whilst the Whigs were rather looked upon as the party of gentlemen and conservatives. In addition to this element of opposition to Mr. Clay, was the Abolition vote, nearly 59,000 all told; most of it taken from the Whig party. 15,000 votes of Abolition Whigs were cast in New York alone for James Birney, the first Abolition Candidate for the Presidency, and a native of Danville, Kentucky.

The canvass was a most exciting one, and most enthusiastic on the part of the Whigs, especially in Kentucky, Mr. Clay's home, where he was almost worshiped. There was no end of torch-light processions, miles long, with every manner of device conceivable, to illustrate the devotion of the people to "Harry Clay." Men on horseback, ladies in their carriages with their little children, wagon loads of people from all the country round, rode in these processions, which were gotten up without money and purely from love, until far into the night; even the children singing themselves hoarse, shouting Whig songs.

Louisville was called the "Banner City," Whig banners floated to the breeze from nearly every house-top, and the city presented a most beautiful appearance as you approached it from above on the great mail steamers, which then carried all the travel of this part of the country upon the broad bosom of the Ohio. Gas had just been introduced, and on the nights of illumination every Whig house was resplendent, and the very few Democratic houses were held in the greatest contempt. Banks, stores, and hotels vied with each other in the beauty of the legends which blazoned forth, in letters of living light, the glory of their chieftain, "Harry of the West."

Not a Whig doubted but their ticket would be triumphant. Defeat seemed to them an impossibility, and the Whig politicians sat up all night, night after night, counting votes. The excitement was at fever heat when every State had been heard from but Pennsylvania, and her vote would decide the election. On that night a great crowd assembled at the wharf, waiting anxiously for the mail boat, which, of course, was later than usual, because people were so anxious she should be early. A young member of the bar, weary with long waiting, concluded to go to the Galt House, which was then on the corner of Second and Main, and take a bed. About half-past three he was awakened by a tremendous shouting; the boat was coming! As she neared the wharf, there was a pin-drop silence; people hardly drew their breaths; then the silence grew ominous; he put his head out of the window, and was about to ask the news, when he heard a deep, gruff voice say, hoarsely, "Damn Pennsylvania!" That told the tale, and the crowd separated for their homes-the bluest, most downcast, heart-stricken, of any political party that ever suffered defeat. For weeks after, women wept over it; men walked the floor of nights and groaned over it; the very children at their Christmas parties, as they danced to the tune, "Hurrah for Harry Clay," would sing the whole song with tears rolling down their cheeks, and dancing as they sang, while old Williams1 played it on his violin, keeping time with both feet, and singing, too, at the top of his voice, and crying along with the girls and boys.

Letters poured in upon Mr. Clay from every quarter of the country, expressing the confident belief that with his defeat the country was lost; and men felt, as well as believed, all they said. Such personal devotion has rarely been given to any political leader.

1 Williams' band played at all the parties in Louisville for many years. He was devoted to Mr. Clay, and exceedingly proud of his allegiance. The old darky was a splendid musician and a great favorite with the young people. - AUTHOR.

Of all his friends, both personal and political, not one was more truly devoted to Henry Clay than Archibald Dixon, of Kentucky. Not one believed more in his greatness as a man, in his political integrity, in his utter devotion to the Union of the States and the welfare of his country, in his patriotism and his wisdom. And, up to the day of his death, Mr. Dixon would notice how Mr. Clay was being quoted from, more and more, and would often express the opinion that his fame would brighten as the years went by, and would out-last that of any of his contemporaries. And this, notwithstanding that on some points of policy he had differed with him very greatly. He agreed fully with him as to the equality of the States, and that, as to them, "equality is equity." That equality which Mr. Clay had endeavored, though unsuccessfully, to preserve in 1820, and which Mr. Dixon, in 1854, determined to restore by the removal of the restriction on the property rights of the citizens of the slave-holding States in regard to the Territories of the United States. As the originator of this important measure, Mr. Dixon's characteristics and personality become a matter of interest to the reader, inasmuch as the inner motives which prompt a measure form a part of a history of the measure itself. The writer, therefore, gives a short chapter containing some facts in respect to the life, character, and career of Archibald Dixon previous to his election as Lieutenant-Governor of Kentucky, in 1844, the period of Mr. Clay's defeat for the Presidency, as above recorded.

CHAPTER VIII.

Archibald Dixon (author of The Repeal of the Missouri Compromise)His early life and character.

"He belonged to that class of statesmen who served their country from the love of it, whose proudest birthright was their American citizenship, and who esteemed their country's honor, their own, and their own country's. When a boy he had heard from his father's lips of the struggles at Camden and Eutaw, and how his grandsire had fallen fighting for American liberty. He came from a stock who laid the foundations of our independence and gave their lives to secure it. Born while the Confederation was in its infancy, and breathing the same air that unfolded a new born and glorious flag, it is not to be wondered at that Archibald Dixon, through all his political life, should be guided by the principles of his forefathers and inherit their patriotism.'""

Archibald Dixon was born in Caswell county, North Carolina, April 2, 1802. His grandfather was Col. Henry Dixon, a most gallant Revolutionary officer, who, at the battle of Camden, distinguished himself by holding the field the entire day against the British army with his regiment of North Carolina militia in conjunction with the Maryland troops. Speaking of this battle, Light-horse Harry Lee says, in his "Southern Memoirs:" "None without violence to the claims of honor and justice can withhold applause from Col. Dixon and his North Carolina regiment of militia. Having their flank exposed by the flight of the other militia, they turned with disdain from the ignoble example, and fixing their eyes on the Marylanders, whose left they became, determined to vie in deeds of courage with their veteran comrades.

"Nor did they shrink from this daring resolve. In every vicissitude of the battle, this regiment maintained its ground; and, when the reserve under Smallwood, covering our left relieved its naked flank, forced the enemy to fall back.

"Col. Dixon had seen service, having commanded a continental regiment under Washington. By his precepts and example, he infused his own spirit into the breasts of his troops, who, emulating the noble ardor of their leader, demonstrated the wisdom of selecting experienced officers to command raw soldiers.

"The American war presents examples of first rate courage, occasionally exhibited by corps of militia, and often with the highest success.

"Here was a splendid instance of self possession by a single regiment out of two brigades.'""

From a biographical sketch of Lieut.-Col. "Hal" Dixon by Judge Schenck, of North Carolina, we learn that Col. Dixon served with Gen. Washington in 1777, taking part in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth, and sharing in the privations and sufferings of Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, "Dixon being conspicuous for bravery and skill during the whole of that sanguinary campaign."

"In 1780, we find Col. Dixon commanding a regiment at Gates' defeat, near Camden, the 15th of August. It was in this battle that he rose to the grandeur of his fame and shed immortal luster on the North Carolina troops under his command.

"When the raw militia from Virginia broke in a panic without resistance early in the battle, it exposed the left flank of the North Carolina militia to a raking fire, and they were routed in succession by the bayonet. The