leaders should be chosen, may have swayed the convention. Buchanan had a majority, but far from two thirds. On the next ballot, delegation after delegation changed its vote, until the entire number, 296, were cast for Buchanan. On the first ballot for the Vice-Presidency the votes were fairly divided between ten or more. Several of them were withdrawn, and on the second ballot John C. Breckinridge was nominated by acclamation.

Undismayed by the swelling ranks of those opposed to slavery, the Democrats stood bravely by their guns. They renewed their adherence to the principles promulgated by former conventions; but they went further, and squarely met the new aspects of the question. There was to be no evasion or shirking. They announced that "The American Democracy recognize and adopt the principles contained in the organic laws establishing the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska as embodying the only sound and safe solution of the 'slavery question,' upon which the great national idea of the people of this whole country can repose in its determined conservation of the Union-Non-intervention by Congress with slavery in State and Territory and in the District of Columbia."

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They also declared that the Territories had a right to form a constitution preparatory to admission into the Union, either sanctioning or condemning slavery as a majority of votes should determine. They affirmed their adherence to the Monroe Doctrine, declared in favor of a railroad to the Pacific, and a canal across the Isthmus, over which we can, under no circumstances, surrender our preponderance in the adjustment of all questions arising out of it." They proclaimed themselves "in favor of free seas, and progressive free trade throughout the world." They pledged the coming administration to make every proper effort to secure our ascendancy in the Gulf of Mexico. (This was a faint echo of the Ostend

Manifesto.) They were emphatic in condemning "the attempt to enforce civil and religious disabilities, and the rights of acquiring and enjoying citizenship in our land.” In this campaign the Whig party made its last gasp of life. It was already in articulo mortis. It felt that it had not strength enough to stand alone, and leaned sadly and heavily upon a mysterious stranger who had come out of darkness into the open arena. Its convention ratified the nomination of Millard Fillmore and Andrew Jackson Donelson, who had, a few months previously, been announced as the candidates of the American, or Know-Nothing party.

The deliverances of the last Whig convention were full of patriotic ardor and of grave apprehension for the future of the country. They declared their reverence for the Constitution, their unalterable attachment to the National Union, and a fixed determination to do all in their power to preserve them for themselves and their posterity." But they regarded "with the deepest interest and anxiety the present disorderly condition of our national affairs," and looked with serious forebodings upon the sectional strife in which "large sections of our population are embittered by mutual recriminations."' "Civil war is raging, and the Union is in peril." Under these alarming conditions they declared "that, without adopting or referring to the peculiar doctrines of the party which has already selected Mr. Fillmore as a candidate, we look to him as a well-tried and faithful friend of the Constitution and the Union," etc.

The party to whose "peculiar doctrines" the Whigs referred was one born in secret; its accouchement was a mystery; its existence and its purposes were concealed. for a time; and when suspicious circumstances directed attention and aroused curiosity to certain stealthy movements, and inquiry was made of anyone thought to be connected therewith, he invariably answered, "I know

nothing about it." Thus the organization became designated as Know-Nothings. In time it was developed that the members met in secret lodges, had forms of initiation, oaths, passwords, and signs of recognition. By perfect discipline and hidden methods, they were able to invade the councils of the other parties, and secure the nomination of some of their own members to whom no suspicion of such membership was openly attached. This done, when election day came they cast plumpers" for their secret ally; and by electing him, although he professed allegiance to the party in a hopeless minority in the locality, they spread amazement and consternation amongst the uninitiated.

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In 1854 the candidates supported by this party were elected in Delaware and Massachusetts. In Pennsylvania Pollock, Whig and Know-Nothing, was elected Governor; and at the same time Mott, Democrat and Know-Nothing, was elected Canal Commissioner; and a Whig and Know-Nothing majority was elected to the legislature. Henry A. Wise, Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia, made a terrific and sustained assault upon Know-Nothingism. Although far from well, he travelled over three thousand miles, made fifty speeches, and thoroughly routed the enemy, having a majority of ten thousand to his credit. In 1855 the Know-Nothings elected governors and members of the State legislatures in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and California, and a portion of the ticket in Maryland. In Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas the majorities for the Democratic candidates were greatly reduced by the same agency. As soon as this party felt strong and bold enough to come out of its hiding-places, its doom was sealed.

As has been stated, this party put in nomination Fillmore and Donelson. Their first and only national convention was held in Philadelphia, February 22, 1856. The

platform, after a devout acknowledgment of God's protecting care of our nation, and a declaration of allegiance to the Constitution and the Union, proceeded to proclaim its" peculiar doctrines." "Americans must rule America, and to this end native-born citizens should be selected for all State, Federal, and municipal government employment, in preference to all others."

person should be selected for political station (whether of native or foreign birth) who recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any description to any foreign prince, potentate, or power." They also declared in favor of a change in the naturalization law which should make “a continued residence of twenty-one years an indispensable requisite for citizenship." Upon the pending political issues, they avowed themselves in favor of maintaining the reserved rights of the States, and non-interference by Congress with domestic affairs in the States. They pronounced in favor of Squatter Sovereignty, with the limitation that none but actual citizens should have the right to vote upon the adoption of a Constitution for Territories seeking admission as States.

From the formation of our government, immigration had been invited, encouraged, and welcomed. Vast numbers had left their native land and had founded. homes and interests here. They had aided very largely in the development of our country's resources, and in constructing great public works, and in many various useful industries. They had renounced allegiance to any foreign power, and had become naturalized citizens. Now a brand was to be put upon them. No matter how honest, able, and loyal, not one of them should be entitled to hold office. They should not even be permitted to earn support for their families by making or mending the highways, or by sweeping the streets, or by any other "State, Federal, or municipal government employment."

And then, too, we had boasted that this is a land where freedom of conscience and the right to worship God according to its dictates was impregnably established. The Constitution provided that there should be no religious test as a qualification for holding office. Now, it was announced in unmistakable terms that no person should be eligible who "recognizes any obligation of any description to any foreign prince, potentate, or power." By this Roman Catholics, although born and reared in this country, were to be denied equal rights with their fellow-citizens.

But amongst the pro-slavery delegates to this convention their peculiar institution" was of paramount importance; and they withdrew from the convention upon its refusal to approve of the re-establishment of the Missouri Compromise line.

These prescriptive, unrepublican, and un-American doctrines might have been kept alive in secret lodges by pandering to prejudices and bigotry, and by stimulating the fears of the weak and timorous; but under the glare of open day and free discussion they could not survive. With the added strength of the Whig vote, they were able to carry but one State that of Maryland. However, they elected five Senators and about twenty members of the lower house of Congress.

In 1856 the anti-slavery element adopted the name of Republican, and became a very formidable factor in political history. Their convention met in Philadelphia on June 17th, and nominated John C. Fremont of California for President, and William L. Dayton of New Jersey for Vice-President.

There was considerable glamour about Fremont. He was popularly dubbed "the Great Pathfinder," because of his exploration and survey of a new route to the Pacific coast. While engaged in his survey in 1846, he learned that a Mexican officer had threatened to drive