The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-06-15

sessions was the adoption of a platform
of principles presented by David WilmOt,
chairman of the committee on resolu-
tions. There was demand in some parts
of the hall to proceed with the nomi-
nations Finally ballot was taken,
and it was found that out of the votes
east for presidential nominees, John c.
Fremont of California received 359 John
Mclean of Ohio. 1876; Charles Sumner of
Massachusetts, 2, and William H. Sc
ward of New York, |. 1t was agreed to
make FremOnt's nomination unanimous.
The ''favorite sons" had been with
drawn in view of the tremendous pop
ularity of the California pathfinder"
His selection was also due, in some de-
gree, to the fact that he had already
been nominated by the seeding "know-
nothings."
Interest in the final days session CEN
tered upon the bringing forward of Alb
raham LincOln's name for vice president.
1t had been moved that an informal
ballot be taken for vice president. A
delegate from Illinois arose and nomi-
mated Lincoln.
"All ] will say" he remarked, sis that
he is a good fellow, a firm friend of
freedom and an line wing"
Mr. Archer of Illinois spoke in favor
of Lincoln, whom he said he had known
from childhood, and who, he said, was a
pure patriot He thought Lincoln could
carry the state beyond a doubt for FIRE.
mont. Illinois, he added, would be safe
without him, but dOnby safe with him
"Can Mr.. Lincoln fight" inquired
Judge Spaulding.
eyes, sir" responded Archer, she is
son of Kentucky, and tail man
whichever way you can fix him."
When the informal ballot was taken
it was found that Lincoln had 10 votes
but William l.. Dayton of New Jersey
had $50. Mr.. Dayton, having the APP
parent strength of the convention, was
therefore, unanimously elected.
A stanch defender of the contention
| that the republican party in theory and
in principles, if not in name, is six years
older than history gives it credit for is
the venerable John A. Kasson of Wash
ington, ID. c., writer of wide fame on
American political topics. Mr.. Kasson
! eloquently contends, in a letter adj
dressed to President Moore, of the Ma
tional League of Republican clubs, that
the republican party practically had its
birth at the Buffalo convention of lS4S
| in which sixteen of the northern states
| were represented, voicing all shades OF
political opinion. At this somewhat
mongrel convention ideas were promul-
gated and a platform adopted which Mr.
Kasson contends made the proceedings
of the lS4S convention practically the
corner stone of the republican party
Mr.. Kasson, who was present at the con
vention in Buffalo in lS4S, has this to
say about it:
"Your letter of the 9th instant is re-
ceived and has awakened many recolec
tions which have almost passed out OF
the public memory.
'Chief among them is the Buffalo
convention of lS4S, which established
the fundamental and vital principles OF
the later republican organization. They
did not assume the name, to be sure, but
they did, as a presidential convention OF
newly founded party, adopt platform
of principles which was the basis on
which the subsequent republican plat
form was built up. 1t is this fact
which has been ignored by party histo-
rians who have assumed that party
name alone, and not it's characteristic
principles, constitutes its life and his.
| tory.
"Observe how clearly the Buffalo con.
| vention of lS4S deferred the fundamen
tai power of the coming republican
party. At the opening of the conven-
ton Preston Kings three preliminary
resolutions (which were adopted by ac-
clamation) declared it the duty of the
general government: First, to abolish
slavery, whenever it had the constitu-
tional power; second. that the institu-
ton in the states was solely under state
authority; third, that slavery in the ter
ritories should be prevented by congress
sional action. There were representatives
from sixteen states there gathered from
all existing parties, some bearing the
names of democratic, wing, liberty party,
and others barnburner, native American
etc. The crowd assembled in connection
with this convention was estimated at
$4,000. Among the delegates were some
of the brightest spirits and ablest intel
lects of the whole nation. Charles Fran
els Adams presided and the sessions con-
tinued two days.
"The origin of the republican party
sprang from the extension of slavery
i'm Kansas Early in 1854 Salmon p