Presidential Candidate William Henry Harrison Defends Himself from an Attack by Future Abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens, Then an Important Figure in the Anti-Masonic Party, Because He Will Not Embrace Anti-Mason Sentiments

“…you have a copy of a letter written in answer to one of Mr. Stevens received late today. I send it to you that you may have all the correspondence. He objects much to the publication of my former letter to him.”

A significant number of Founding Fathers were Freemasons, but as politics grew increasingly democratic in the Age of Jackson, many rural Americans believed Freemasonry represented urban arrogance, secrecy, and rituals that posed a threat to Republican democracy. Starting in 1826, an anti-Masonic movement gathered momentum and had a powerful impact on American politics. The Anti-Masonic movement began in upstate New York, and within a few years, spread through Pennsylvania, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic States, eventually reaching onto the Northwest Territory of the Ohio Valley. While many resented the Anti-Masonry movement, some states elected officials to Congress and their respective state governments on the Anti-Masonic Party ticket. It was America’s first third party, and was instrumental in elevating the careers of such luminaries as William H. Seward, William Lloyd Garrison, and Thaddeus Stevens. Garrison and Stevens became known as abolitionists in the coming struggle over slavery.

Early in 1835, War of 1812 hero William Henry Harrison began being talked about as a potential presidential candidate by both the Whig and Anti-Masonic Parties. A Pennsylvania state convention for the Anti-Masonic Party was set to meet in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from December 14–17, 1835, to choose Presidential electors for the 1836 election. Stevens, a major player in that party, publicly refused to support Harrison’s nomination because Harrison would not pledge to be Anti-Mason. Stevens did, however, realize that the Anti-Masons could control the Pennsylvania legislature if the Anti-Masons allied with the Whigs. He sponsored a bill designed to suppress secret societies (such as the Masons), and, two weeks later, he was made chairman of a committee of five to investigate the “evils of Free Masonry.” His hope was to find a Whig who would lean Anti-Masonic.

William Ayres was a celebrated lawyer, and member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1833-1835. In 1834, Ayres and colleague Thaddeus Stevens became fast friends while working together for the establishment of a common school system of education. Harrison also knew Ayres, corresponded with him about his views on the Anti-Masonic Party and other political matters, and sought Ayres’s support (or at least not downright opposition).

Autograph letter signed, Cincinnati, November 28, 1835, just weeks before the nominating conventions, to Ayres, reporting that he was being courted by the Anti-Masons and mentioning his dispute with Stevens. “On the other side of this sheet a copy of a letter written in answer to one of Mr. Stevens received late today. I send it to you that you may have all the correspondence. He objects much to the publication of my former letter to him. To do this or not must depend upon the view my friends may take of the whole subject. Mr. Shed a delegate or agent of the Anti-masons of Ohio will be here on Tuesday and will proceed immediately to Harrisburg. I am not personally [known to him but] he is highly spoken of.” The address panel on the verso indicates the recipient. The letter copy mentioned is not present.

Stevens opposition was unable to affect the outcome. The Anti-Masonic convention in December unanimously nominated Harrison for president and Francis Granger for vice president. The Whigs also nominated Harrison at their convention about the same time. Harrison lost the 1836 election, but won the following election in 1840.