The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NAME.

The proposed celebration by Michigan Re-
publicans of the fiftieth anniversary Of the
origin of the party has already raised dis
pute as to the origin of the name Repub-
lican. The claim that it originated in
Michigan is disputed in behalf Of Wiscon-
sin. The party itself sprang up spontane-
ously and almost simultaneously in sew
eral Northern States. Its basic principle
was opposition to the extension of slavAry
and to the repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise which had been done in the interest
of slavery. This brought about the final
dissolution of the old Wing party
slavery and antislavery lines, and drove a
large element of the Democratic party into
the new party, which then came into exist
ence without name. In this State it was
called the Peoples party. This designation
was not happy one. and it was not used
in any other State. 1t was a makeshift
name, adopted rather hastily to hold to-
gether the various elements which, coming
from different directions, met for the first
time on the common ground of opposition
to the extension of slavery. The first con-
held in this city on July 10, 1854. The DEM
ocrats had held a convention indorsing the
repeal of the Missouri compromise. The
Journal of June IS published the following
call under the heading. 1.-The Peoples Mass
Convention
A majority of the recent Democratic
convention having adopted resolutions set
ting forth a platform Of principles to which
we believe majority of the people of this
State are opposed, We therefore, call upon
all such opponents, of whatever party, to
meet at indianapolis on the thirteenth day
of July next at 10 o'clock m, to adopt
such measures in relation thereto as they
may deem proper.
This call was signed by twenty-eight
Wings, twenty-seven Democrats and a few
Free Sellers. On July 10 the Journal said:
From all parts of the State we learn that
the people, irrespective of former political
differences, are coming to the capital on
next Thursday tn enter their protest
against the repeal of the Missouri corapro-
mise, and to ask it's restoration. If pres
ent indications are realized 1t will be the
greatest assemblage of the people ever
convened for political purposes in this city.
Should it's deliberations be marked by pru-
dence, and ticket be formed of good and
competent men of determined hostility to
the Nebraska swindle, without regard to
past political distinctions, it viii be most
triumphantly elected" The convention was
very largely attended. and. considering the
homogeneous elements of which it was COM
posed, its action was surprisingly harmo-
NOUS. 1t was animated by a great princi-
| pie. 1t declared:
That we are uncompromisingly opposed
| to the extension of slavery; and. further.
| that We utterly repudiate the platform of
| principles adopted by the self-styled Dem
ocratic convention on the 24th day of May
| last, indorsing and approving the Kansas
| Nebraska iniQuity.
Resolved. That we will waive all former
party predictions. and. In concert, by all
| lawful means. seek to place every branch
| of the Federal government in the hands of
| men who will assert the right OF freedom.
restore the Missouri compromise and refuse
under all circumstances to tolerate the ex-
| tension of slavery into territories secured to
i! freedom by that compromise.
] There was no mention of the tariff Or
of any other national issue. for the simple
reason that there was other. The con-
test over the extension of slavery absorbed
| everything else, and was the sole issue.
This was the beginning of the Republican
party in this State. though for two years
1t was called the Peoples party. The State
convention OF 1856 met under the same
name This convention nominated Oliver
p. Morton for Governor. of whom the Jour-
| nal said:
| We have not space to speak of our candi-
dates individually. but We may say of Judge
Morton, our candidate for Governor, that
| in all that goes to make a sound reasoner
well-informed politician. prudent states
man, an efficient executive. a Trustworthy
man, he is the full equal OF score of his
| opponent, and We appraise his opponent
above his value In placing him so high.
1t seems probable. in fact almost certain
that the frst State convention or the new
party to adopt the name Republican was