His name was brought forward by the Whigs of Massachusetts, but it met with no response even in New England.

It was the old story; Mr.Clay and his friends were cool, and the masses of the party did not desire Mr.Webster.
The convention turned from the Massachusetts statesman and again nominated the old Western soldier.
Mr.Webster did not hesitate as to the course he should pursue upon his return.

He had been reelected to the Senate in January, 1839, and after the session closed in July, 1840, he threw himself into the campaign in support of Harrison.

The people did not desire Mr.Webster to be their President, but there was no one whom they so much wished to hear.

He was besieged from all parts of the country with invitations to speak, and he answered generously to the call thus made upon him.
On his way home from Washington, in March, 1837, more than three years before, he had made a speech at Niblo's Garden in New York,--the greatest purely political speech which he ever delivered.