Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-06-20
A Brilliant History.

The history of the Republican party
is not long, but it has a bright record
of unbroken triumphs. Its fifth nation
al convention has just adjourned at
Philadelphia. Let us look, briefly, at
its four predecessors
The Republican party was organized
in the spring Of 1S545, and had already
enjoyed its first victories and held pre-.
liminary convention at Pittsburgh, when.
on June Is, 1857, it assembled formally
at Philadelphia, for the nomination of
Presidential ticket. Frank Pierce's
wretched administration was odious
throughout the North. and the outrages
in Kansas had stirred deep and bitter
feeling of resentment. In wild hurri-
cane of cheers, John c. Fremont and
William l.. Dayton were nominated, and
the Republican creed was propounded
with all the vigor and audacity of youth.
1t arraigned the pro-slavery Democratic
party for its hideous crimes against the
fairest of the territories, and its mas
terly and intrepid indictment was so
far successful that its ticket carried
every free state except New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and
California-the States which had suffer
ed the heaviest Southern emigration.
In the Electoral College it had one hum
dred and fourteen of the two hundred
and ninety-fve votes polled.
The second convention met in Chicago,
May 16, 1860. 1t assembled in the
midst of az unparalleled national excite
ment, when the hostilities had culmi-
mated, and the war cloud was about to
break. Under the intense enthusiasm
which centered here, was preternatu-
raj calmness of expression that indi.
Gated elaboration and a firm purpose
to go forward for freedom and for union
The platform was model of serenity and
Cancellation. For the Presidential can
didate, William H. Seward led on the
first two ballots, and on the third, Abra-
ham Lincoln was nominated, Hannibal
Hamlin being added to the ticket on the
next ballot. Victory followed. The De-
mocracy suffered vivisection at Charles
ton, and Douglas and Breckenridge car
ried every Southern State, Bell, how
ever, receiving few votes. Lincoln car
ried every Northern State, except New
Jersey, whose vote he divided with
Douglas.
The third convention met at Balti-
more, June Z, 1864. A Southerner,
Breckenridge, of Kentucky, presided.
Lincoln was nominated for reelection,
securing all the votes except those OF
Missouri, which were cast for Gen.
Grant. The platform was emphatic for
| the Union, and it was easy enough to
elect its candidates against a timid
soldier on reactionary platform. The
party received the whole vote of every
State that participated, except New Jer,
sey, Kentucky and Delaware.
The fourth convention was held in
Chicago, May p, 1868. The war had
been successfully closed. The rebellion
had been suppressed. The national
honor and its territorial integrity had
been maintained. All this contributed
to the prestige of the Republican party
and made its next campaign, on the
issue Of reconstruction, little less than
an ovation. Grant was unanimously
nominated on the first ballot; Colfax on
the third. They received the votes O.
all the States, excepting New York,
New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ken
lucky, Georgia, Louisiana, and Oregon
Virginia, Texas and Mississippi aid moi
hold elections.
The fifth convention was held in Phil
adelphia, June 5. Grant was. unani
mously nominated on the first ballot
with most uproarious demonstrations o
rejoicing; and Henry Wilson, of Massa
chusetts, was added to the ticket on tn,
first ballot for Vice President.
The history of the Republican party
has not only been a record of victory
but, better yet, record of justice. Dur
ing the last fifteen wears it has been tn,
salvation of the republic--its champion
against all corners. 1t has fought it
battles, preserved its honor, paid it
debts, freed its oppressed people, recon
structed its dismantled States, raised it
credit from the disasters of rebellion
nearly to par, and armed every citizen
even the humblest, with ballot. From