"We could meet the Whigs on the field of argument and beat them without effort," the New York Evening Post cried, "but when they lay down the weapons of argument and attack us with musical notes, what can we do?" Some Democrats recalled an earlier campaign in which the homespun hero, General Andrew Jackson, had been their candidate, and the dandied incumbent was John Quincy Adams. That recollection led the Democratic Review to lament: "We have taught them how to conquer us."

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When Martin was housed like a chattel,
opposed to the war as you know,
Our hero was foremost in battle,
and conquered at Tippecanoe.

"We are far ahead in singing and in electioneering emblems," Greeley wrote. His efforts produced other campaign papers: the Flail in Vermont, Old Tip’s Broom in Ohio, the Pilot in Baltimore, and the Hard Cider Press in Chicago. These penny newspapers contained not only songs but anecdotes and campaign updates as well. In addition, those so inclined could purchase Harrison and Tyler neckties, "Tippecanoe tobacco," "Tippecanoe shaving soap," and buttons and ribbons. Farmers gained local press coverage by naming their horses "Tip" and "Ty." One couple in Cincinnati baptized their twins "Harrison" and "Tyler." Another proud mother named her newborn triplets "William," "Henry," and "Harrison."

The beautiful girls, God bless their souls,
Souls, souls, the country through
Will all, to a man, do all they can
For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.

"Old Cabin Whiskey," sold in cabin-shaped bottles, became the drink of choice among Harrison activists. Its distiller, E.C. Booz of Philadelphia, added the term "booze" to posterity. The songs, campaign paraphernalia, and cider went on display at rallies where, even Democrats were forced to concede, "acres of men" showed up to support Harrison. The rallies were part entertainment, part patriotic celebration, and part pep rally. One placard advised the public that "the vocalist, Mr. J. Brown, recently arrived from a southern tour, will sing several celebrated, bang-up Tippecanoe songs!"

In "ole Kentuck" the people say,
That Matty Van has had his day,
And that old Tip he is the man
To rout him out with all his clan.
Then haste and turn out, old men, young men,
Haste and turn out, new men, true men.
Vote for Harrison.

"Some of the songs I shall never forget," a Democratic editor moaned; "they rang in my ears wherever I went, morning, noon and night . . . it was a ceaseless torrent of music."

AS IF THE CAMPAIGN needed another novelty, Whig supporters started rolling huge paper or tin balls printed with campaign slogans from town to town as part of parades and rallies. The idea owed its inspiration to remarks made by Democratic Senator Thomas Hart Benton when the Senate officially expunged its censure of President Jackson in 1837. (The Senate had passed the censure resolution in 1834 after Jackson removed federal deposits from the Bank of the United States.) Although he had once shot Jackson in a gunfight, Benton fought stubbornly to remove the taint of censure from the president’s record. "Solitary and alone," Benton said, "I set this ball in motion." Now the Whigs rolled it back on Benton and Van Buren.

What has caused the great commotion, motion, motion,
Our country through?
It’s the ball a rolling on, on.
For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too. Tippecanoe and Tyler, too.
And with them we’ll beat little Van, Van, Van.
Van is a used up man.
And with them we’ll beat little Van.

"Keep the ball rolling" survived the campaign to become a common American expression.

While balls rolled and cider flowed, issues were largely forgotten. Van Buren made an effort to interject a reasoned discussion of the bank, the tariff, and internal improvements, but he was shouted down by the Whig press. "Wherever you find a bitter, blasphemous atheist," Horace Greeley thundered, "there you may be certain of one vote for Van Buren." Oversimplification was in order. "Take Harrison and good," the Political Tornado advised, "or reject him for Van Buren and evil."

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