It was quite possible, in fact it was highly probable, that, once in the presidency, he could not be controlled or guided by the slave-power or by any other sectional influence.

Mr.
Fillmore, inferior in every way to Mr.Webster in intellect, in force, in reputation, would give them a mild, safe administration and be easily influenced by the South.

Mr.Webster had served his turn, and the men whose cause he had advocated and whose interests he had protected cast him aside.
[Footnote 1: Mr.Curtis says a "great majority continued to divide their votes between Mr.Fillmore and Mr.Webster." The highest number reached by the combined Webster and Fillmore votes, on any one ballot, was 162, three more than was received on the last ballot by General Scott, who, Mr.Curtis correctly says, obtained only a "few votes more than the necessary majority."] The loss of the nomination was a bitter disappointment to Mr.Webster.

It was the fashion in certain quarters to declare that it killed him, but this was manifestly absurd.

The most that can be said in this respect was, that the excitement and depression caused by his defeat preyed upon his mind and thereby facilitated the inroads of disease, while it added to the clouds which darkened round him in those last days.