The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-09-02
that Has Withstood Many Severe Storms
and Political Upheavals.
A1snousn Somewhat weather-Beaten.I It
Il stiu . Habitable Mansion, and
Has Tenants Who Do Not
wish to vacate.
wR1rrnx FOR THE ENouInER BIZ GENERAL
W. T. WILSON.
1rs INCEPTION.

Ohio. the Backbone of the United States,
Gives Birth to the Party.
Soon after the defeat of the old Wing
party In the Presidential campaign of
1852, with General Scott as its standard
bearer, or at least during the year follow
ing that event, the organization of
the American or Know-Nothing party
was commenced in nearly all of
the States of the Union, and in the
spring and fall of 1854 it swept every
thing before it. not only in Ohio, but in
most of the Northern and Eastern States
The American party. being based upon
the passions and prejudices of the peo-
pie, was, of course, short-lived; but the:
death of the Whig party dated from the
time of the inception and organization of
the Know-Nothings. The Kansas and
Nebraska troubles were then upon our
hands, and the question as to whether
slavery should be extended into the
newly-organized Territories of the United
States was assuming such importance as
to render it impossible for statesmen and
politicians to longer ignore it.
THE ooRNER-sToNE.
An opening for the organization of
party founded upon q living principle
opposition to the extension of slavery
into free territory-was here presented,
and the leaders of the American, the Free
Soil and the whig partiesa in the State of
Ohio hit upon the idea of meeting in
State Convention for the purpose of form
ing a party whose cardinal principle
should be the non-extension of slavery.
Upon conferring together the representa-
tives of these several parties determined
to issue a call for what was afrerward
known as the sFusion" Convention, and
which assembled in Columbus on the 18th
day of July, 1865, little moro than
thirty-one years ago.
There being no hall in the city at that
time of sufficient capacity to accom-
modate SO large crowd as was expected
to attend this fusion convention, the
present Town-street Methodist Church,
which was then in an unfinished oondi-
ton, was used for the occasion. For this
purpose the church was fitted up with
platform and seats constructed of rough,
unplaned boards.
CONVENTION NUMBER ONE.
This convention was called to order by
Joshua r. Giddings, the leader of the
Free Soil or anti-slavery party, and Judge
B. S. Cowan, of Belmont County, was
made temporary Chairman, with w. B.
Allison, of Ashland, and w. Merrick, OF
Ravenna, as Secretaries. The usual
committees were appointed, after which
Id. Campbell, then famiiarly known
as the "Butler Pony" delivered a rat
Ting speech, which was received with
great applause. Then on motion of Mr..
Giddings, committee was provided. for
whose duty it was to confer with similar
committees of other States on the subject
of organizing National Republican
party.
On reassembling in the afternoon, John
Sherman, now United States Senator
was made permanent Chairman. Mr.
Sherman was then acomparatively young
and obscure man, who had been elected
to Congress the preceding fall in the
midst of the terrible Know-Nothing up
heaval of 1854. This was simply crumt