WHIG CAMPAIGN
Receipt from Convention
List of items needed for Convention.
Receipt from Convention
The Election of 1840
In 1839, the Whig Party held their presidential nominating convention at Zion Lutheran Church. William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, became their presidential nominee for the election of 1840. What was supposed to be a rude remark thrown at their nominee became the slogan for the Whigs for their campaign. This remark, "a log cabin and hard cider", was taken up by the Whigs and used in a variety of different mediums, from simply standing alone as their slogan to visually being depicted on teacups and handkerchiefs. Astonishingly this worked and they went on to win the election of 1840.
Zion Lutheran Church congregation had recently rebuilt its house of worship after suffering a devastating fire in 1838. The current structure was dedicated on November 10th, 1839. Two days before this, Zion Lutheran gave the Whigs permission to use their space for their convention, which was held from December 4th through the 7th. For this, they donated $417.00 to Zion Lutheran, which can be seen in the receipts displayed.
The slogan "log cabin and hard cider" was monumental in the Whig campaign as it appealed to the common man. A phrase that was originally meant to degrade Harrison as a common man consequentially portrayed him as such, which may have well won him the election. The other candidate was portrayed as a "dandie"; a rich man who already had prestige and power in society.
Campaigns post 1840 took after this mentality and began to reach out to the common man, ultimately changing the way politics played out not only during the election process, but also in the way the public perceived politicians (especially the President).