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James Gadsden was sent as United States Minister to Mexico to adjust the issues growing out of the treaty referred to. On December 30, 1853, a convention was concluded by which there was secured to the United States all that she claimed under the former treaty; and what is now Arizona was added to the national domain, at the cost of $10,000,000.

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During this administration Messrs. Buchanan, Mason, and Soulé, three American ministers to European courts, issued their Ostend Manifesto," indicating the desire, even the determination, of this country to acquire the Island of Cuba.

This period was also marked by another filibustering expedition. Nicaragua was the invaded territory, the forces being led by a General Walker. This proved as futile and fatal as had been the previous one to Cuba under Lopez.

It will be observed that there was an adverse majority in both branches of Congress during Adams's term. Jackson had a solid support during both terms. Van Buren started in office with a majority to support him in both Senate and House, but this was reversed in the last two years of his term. Harrison had the same experience. During Polk's administration, the Democratic majority in the Senate was maintained; but was lost in the House in the second half of his term. The Whigs were in the minority in both Senate and House throughout the Taylor-Fillmore administration.

Pierce entered office with both Houses largely Democratic. During his last two years the Senate was with him, but the opposition had a majority in the House.

CHAPTER III

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN-WHIG-AMERICAN CONSTI

UNION-LABOR-PROHIBITION-GREEN

TUTIONAL

BACK- AMERICAN NATIONAL

- EQUAL RIGHTS

NATIONAL PEOPLE'S

THE

1856-1898

HE campaign of 1856 was opened with a quadrangular contest and the introduction of a new element into national politics.

The strength displayed by Buchanan in the convention of 1852, as well as his eminent abilities and spotless character, made him the leading candidate this year. He entered the convention with 135 votes to 122 for Pierce (the half-vote for each was by reason of the admission of both contesting delegates from one district, giving each of a vote), 33 for Douglas, and 5 for Cass. The bulk of Buchanan's vote was from the Northern States, yet he had also a majority of those from the South. On the sixteenth ballot the contest was narrowed down to Buchanan and Douglas, the former receiving 168 votes, the latter 123, and Cass 8.

Bodies of men, the most able and cool-headed, are sometimes carried off their feet by a sudden and often unaccountable impulse. Former experiences may have suggested the possibility of the introduction of a “dark horse" in the close and exciting contest; and the determination that none but one of their tried and honored

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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

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the

Manifesto.) They were emphatic in condemning 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.

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

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