New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-04
RISE OF REPUBLICANISM.
THE WING PARTY GIVES PLACE TO A
MORE VITAL FORCE IN AMER
ICAN POLITICS.

THE FIRST REPUBLICAN CONVENTION AND 1T:
PLATFoRM-FREMoNT IT'S cANDIDATE-DEMo
CRATIC PLATFoRM-THE AMERICAN
PARTNERSHIP OF THE
ELECTION
The disintegration of the Wing party hat
been foreshadowed by the votes in the XXXIIIt
Congress- and actually occurred in 1856. The
word Wing disappeared from the nomencla
ture Of American politics, and the Republican
party came formally into being expressly as a
protest against the repeal Of the Missouri Com
promise and against the extension Of slavery
to the Territories. The change took place early
in the year On February 22 a Republican
National Convention assembled in Pittsburg
Penn. composed Of delegates from twenty-thret
States 1t remained in session two days. Johr
a. King. of New-York. was temporary chair
man: Francis p Blair of Maryland, permanent
president An Executive Committee was ap
pointed with Edwin D. Morgan. afterward Re
publican War Governor of NewYork. as chair
man. Speeches were made by twenty or thirty
Of the foremost Free State men of that day and
resolutions were adopted demanding the repea
Of all laws which allowed the introduction OF
slavery to the Territories and declaring that
the new party would support the Free State
men of Kansas in their battle against slavery
extension The National Nominating Conven
ton was held in Philadelphia. on June II tc
10. 1Sj6 Edwin D. Morgan called it 10 order
chairman. and Henry s. Lane. of Indiana. presi-
dent. The convention enthusiastic one
and its nomination OF John c. Fremont for
President was received with salutes Of 100 guns
in various parts OF the country.
FREMONT AND HIS PLATFORM
The Republican candidates and platform OF
the Presidential campaign of 1876 were as fol
lows:
For President-John c. Fremont. of California
Famous for explorations in the unknown
far West. and nicknamed the pathfinder
For Vice resident-Wlliam L. Dayton. Of New
Jersey.
Conven,ion-Held in Philadelphia. June II. Is
and 10. 1886.
THE PLATFORM
First-Favored maintenance OF the principles
of the Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution Of The United States.
Second-Denied that there is any authority
in Congress or any Legislature to give legal
existence to slavery in any Territory of the
United States. and declared that the republi-
can authors Of the Constitution having abol-
ished slavery in the National territory and or
dained that no should be deprived OF life.
liberty or property without due process Of law.
it had become duty TO maintain this pro-
vision Of the Constitution against attempts to
violate it for the purpose Of establishing slavery
in any Territory.
Third-Declared that sovereign power over the
Territories was lodged in Congress. and that it
was the duty Of Congress to prohibit both polyg-
amy and slavery there.
Fourth-Declared that the dearest constitution
al rights of Kansas had been violently invaded
by the Democratic party. and sustained by the
military power of the Government. and that the
actual perpetrators Of these atrocious outrages
should be brought to justice.
Fifth-Declared that Kansas should be at once
admitted as State with the free Constitution
adopted by her people by large majorites
Sixth-Denounced the "Os,end manifesto" and
the highwaymans plea that might makes
right"
Seventh-Favored a railroad to the Pacific
Ocean and Government aid thereto. and. as an
auxiliary. an emigrant route on the line II the
railroad.
Eighth-Favored the Improvement Of rivers
and harbors.
Ninth-Invited the support of free men OF all
parties.
Not one principle avowed in this platform has
ever been repudiated in the laws OF the Ameri-
can people on the contrary. the principles OF
this platform have become the settled policy OF
the Nation 1t is to be noted especially that even
thus early the Republicans opposed Mormon
polygamy.
THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION.
The Democratic candidates and platform were
as follows:
For Presdent-James Buchanan, Of Pennsyl-