CHAPTER XIII.

REPUBLICAN PARTY.-ITS FIRST ORGANIZATION.-DEMOCRATIC PARTY 1840 TO 1861.-ABOLITIONISTS.-JAMES G. BIRNEY ABOLITION CANDIDATE.-SUCCESS OF THE PARTY.-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS OF 1840, 1844, 1848, 1852, AND 1856.-NOMINATION OF HARRISON, SCOTT AND POLK.-WHIGS NOMINATE CLAY.-BIRNEY RE-NOMINATED.-SETTLEMENT OF THE OREGON CLAIMS.-TREATY RESPECTING OREGON.-THOMAS H. BENTON'S VIEWS ON THE OREGON BOUNDARY.-GEN. TAYLOR ELECTED.-"HUNKERS" AND "BARNBURNERS."-LEWAS CASS NOMINATED.-FRANKLIN PIERCE NOMINATED.-ELECTION OF PIERCE.-NOMINATION OF BUCHANAN AND FREMONT.-BUCHANAN'S CABINET.-FLOYD MOVES ARMS SOUTH.-HIS RESIG. NATION.-SPEECHES OF SOUTHERN LEADERS.-SOUTHERN JOURNALS.SLAVERY IS DIVINE.-WOULD "EXTEND IT EVEN TO YANKEES."

Or all the political organizations in America, none has had so hard a struggle for national existence as had the party known as the Republican Union party of to-day; nor has any political party in any country or age achieved so much as has this party for the advancement of human liberty and the elevation upon a common platform of the religious and civil equality of all men before the law.

The first appearance of the party under its present name, as a national organization, was in the year 1831; but this was not the first appearance of the spirit of that party, for the impulses that animated and inspired the leaders of this progressive band had first taken hold of American affairs when the Pilgrims planted their feet on Plymouth rock, and had followed the conquering hosts of New England throughout the revolutionary struggle to a glorious conquest, and again perched upon their banners in the formation of civil government, wherein they established for themselves and their children that political and religious freedom

which has placed America far in advance of all the nations of the earth.

The different political parties that had from time to time appeared before the people, had at this period resolved themselves into the two great national parties of Whigs and Democrats. The Democratic party at this time was in the zenith of its glory. It had stood firm to the doctrines of its founders. They were inspired with the spirit of those men, who in the Convention that framed the National Constitution overpowered Washington, Franklin, and others in their efforts to extirpate human Slavery, and had in opposition to their will, fastened upon the nation the odium of property in man, and the unjust representation of the South in the National Congress based upon negro influence. Their rule in State and National legislation was almost a continuous and unlimited chain of wrongs and usurpations, arrogating to themselves all places of profit and interest; indeed, they had completely turned the whole country into a kind of Southern hospital for the comfort and support of the slave-breeder.

At this time the Democracy had nominated for the Presidency, by their Convention at Baltimore, on May 5th, 1840, Martin Van Buren; but they were defeated in the election. The Whig party, the only other organized National party at this time, had met at Harrisburg on the 4th of December, 1839, and nominated William H. Harrison, over Henry Clay and Winfield Scott, for the Presidency, and John Tyler for the VicePresidency, both of whom were elected. Harrison died just one month after his inauguration, and was succeeded by John Tyler, who was elected Vice-President with him.