But it was a time when personal factions flourished rankly in the absence of broad differences of principle.

Mr.Crawford was bidding furiously for support in every and any quarter, and to Mr.Crawford, accordingly, Mr.Webster began to look as a possible leader for himself and his friends.

Just how far Mr.Webster went in this direction cannot be readily or surely determined, although we get some light on the subject from an attack made on Mr.Crawford just at this time.

Ninian Edwards, recently senator from Illinois, had a quarrel with Mr.Crawford, and sent in a memorial to Congress containing charges against the Secretary of the Treasury which were designed to break him down as a candidate for the presidency.

Of the merits of this quarrel it is not very easy to judge, even if it were important.