But this evasive course was not wholly successful.
There was a considerable body of men in New England, and especially in Massachusetts, known as "Conscience Whigs," who had deep convictions on the subject of slavery, and refused to support General Taylor.

Conspicuous among these were Henry Wilson, E.
Rockwood Hoar, and Charles Francis Adams.

A defection of the same kind among the Whigs of New York was prevented by the active influence of Mr.Seward, but it developed rapidly in the northern section of Ohio.

Throughout the country the Whigs began to fear that a mistake had been made, and that the old leaders had been thrown overboard without due thought of the consequences.

Mr.
Clay's private correspondence exhibited unmistakable gratification at this aspect of affairs, for he felt assured that the influential Whigs who were now organizing against Taylor would have supported him as cordially as they had done in 1844.
These troubles in the Whig ranks tended, of course, to encourage the Democrats, and to give them for a time great promise of success.
The selection of their own candidate, however, had not been unattended with difficulty and dissension.