Conspectus of the History of Political Parties and the Federal Government/Conspectus of Political History/Pierce
Pierce’s Administration.
Pierce’s political faith.—Mr. Pierce stated that he believed involuntary servitude was recognized by the constitution, and that the compromise measures should be carried into effect.
Kansas–Nebraska bill.—In January, 1854, Senator Douglas, of Illinois, reported a bill to organize the territory of Nebraska, afterwards divided into Kansas and Nebraska, with a provision for the abrogation of the Missouri Compromise. The citizens of the territories, if they wished slavery, could “vote it up;” if not, they could “vote it down.” The bill was advocated by the Democratic party, which, being, in the ascendency in both Houses, carried the measure without difficulty. The Free-Soil party and the Anti-Slavery Whigs contested the movement at every step. Since 1820, from all the Louisiana Purchase north of latitude 36° 30′, slavery had been excluded by the Missouri Compromise; now that vast region was devoted to slavery, if the citizens should so elect. The bill opened the whole slavery question anew, and produced a general and strong excitement.
Territorial legislature.—As soon as Kansas was organized, strenuous endeavors were made by pro-slavery partisans to people the territory in the interest of slavery, while vigorous efforts were put forth in the northern states to colonize the territory with citizens who would vote for a free state. The election for a delegate to Congress came off on the 29th of November, 1854. Armed persons from Missouri entered the territory, and, voting for their favorite candidate, procured his election. On the 30th of March, 1855, occurred the election for members of the first legislature. Between four and five thousand armed Missourians invaded the territory and controlled the election. Owing to fraudulent voting, Governor Reeder called for another election in six of the districts. The Missourians now appeared and voted in one precinct—in the others, the citizens enjoyed their political rights. When the legislature assembled at Pawnee (July 2d, 1855), the seats of the members chosen at the second election were contested, except those from the precinct in which the Missourians voted. Subsequently every contested member was rejected, the certificates of the governor being disregarded. The legislature thus organized removed the seat of government to the Shawnee Mission, and began the work of enacting laws. Governor Reeder, thinking that the administration would support him, refused to recognize this legislature.
Topeka constitution.—At a meeting of the inhabitants of Kansas (August 15th, 1855), resolutions were adopted which resulted in an election of members of a convention to form a state constitution. The delegates assembled at Topeka (October 25th, 1855), and prepared a free-state constitution, which was ratified by the people in the following December. The election for state officers under this constitution was held January 15th, 1856. The state legislature, chosen at this election, met on the 4th of March, and after organizing, adjourned till the 4th of July. There were now in Kansas two legislatures—one favoring and the other opposing slavery.
Kansas war.—Civil war in Kansas, between pro-slavery and free-state men, continued during Pierce’s administration.
Legislation for Kansas.—In January, 1856, the President sent a message to Congress, indorsing the territorial legislature, and “representing the formation of the Free-State government as an act of rebellion.” The Senate committee on territories presented a majority report supporting this legislature; a minority report took antagonistic grounds. A select committee was appointed to visit Kansas and investigate the alleged frauds. The committee accomplished its work, and made a majority report, declaring that the territorial legislature was an illegally constituted body, and that the Topeka constitution embodied the will of a majority of the people. A bill to admit Kansas as a free state under this constitution was passed in the House, but failed in the Senate.
Anti-Nebraska.—The repeal of the Missouri Compromise produced a simultaneous uprising of the people of the free states in opposition to the measure, and under the common designation of “Anti-Nebraska,” “Fusion” and “People’s party” were other names of this temporary combination. It was composed of dissatisfied Whigs, Democrats, Free-Soilers, and members of the
Republican party.—The proposed repeal of the Missouri Compromise (1854) was regarded as an assault upon freedom, and produced earnest discussion from the pulpit, the platform, and the press. Large numbers of Anti-Slavery men, belonging to the different parties, soon decided that their success could be secured only “through the formation of a new party which could act without the embarrassment of a pro-slavery wing.” The first movement towards the organization of such a party was during the early months of 1854, in Wisconsin, at Ripon, Fond du Lac county. At the call of Mr. A. E. Bovey, a meeting was held on the last of February, which adopted the resolution that if the Kansas–Nebraska bill should pass, they would “throw old party organizations to the winds, and organize a new party on the sole issue of the non-extension of slavery.” On the 20th of March another meeting was held, at which Mr. Bovey expressed the thought that the party would probably take the name of “Republican.” The organization of this party was perfected for the state, by a convention held the following July. The Detroit Tribune “took ground in favor of disbanding the Whig and Free-Soil parties, and of the organization of a new party, composed of all the opponents of slavery extension.” This was followed, in Michigan, by a mass convention, which met on the 6th of July, adopted a platform opposing the extension of slavery, and assumed for the new party the name of “Republican.” This action preceded the organization of the party in other portions of the country. During the year 1854, in those states whose elections furnished opportunity, the new party was organized, or a fusion ticket was supported by Anti-Nebraska partisans. In several states the Republican party was not organized till 1855. From a small beginning it increased rapidly in numbers, and, meeting with encouraging success at state elections, it gradually drew into its fold all those who opposed the extension of slavery into the territories. Thus, by the fusion of Free-Soilers, Whigs, Anti-Nebraska Democrats, and Anti-Slavery Americans, was organized the Republican party.
Election of 1856.—The Americans, in 1856, considering themselves sufficiently strong to run candidates of their own, met in convention at Philadelphia, February 22d, selected as candidates Millard Fillmore (N. Y.) and Andrew J. Donelson (Tenn.), and adopted a platform of sixteen resolutions. The minority, having rejected the platform, seceded, and calling themselves North Americans, held a national convention at New York City, June 12th, 1856, and nominated N. P. Banks (Mass.) and W. F. Johnson (Penn.) These gentlemen declining, the North Americans determined to unite with the Republicans in supporting Fremont and Dayton. At Cincinnati, June 2d, 1856, the Democratic party nominated James Buchanan (Penn.) and John C. Breckinridge (Ky.). The Republican nominating convention was held at Philadelphia, June 17th, 1856. John C. Fremont (Cal.) and William L. Dayton (N. J.) were unanimously chosen as candidates. A declaration of principles, containing eight resolutions, was adopted. The Silver Grays, and other Whigs who had not associated themselves with the influential parties, met in national convention at Baltimore, September 17th, 1856, indorsed the American ticket, and in a platform of eight resolutions, gave their reasons for supporting Mr. Fillmore. Thus was completed the disintegration of the Whig party. Its pro-slavery members had joined the Democrats; its opponents of slavery, the Republicans; and now its remnants, opposing geographical parties, were absorbed by the Americans. The contest lay between Buchanan, Fremont, and Fillmore. Mr. Buchanan was elected, but he lacked 377,629 votes of obtaining a popular majority over his opponents.