Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-13

Prior to the campaign OF 1856,
which saw the close Of the administra
ton of President Franklin Pierce,
there came with increased force
definite prophesy and ever-increasing
alignment of the north against the
south. For 20 years the slavery issue
had been slumbering. Each succeed
Ing administration had seen the fires
break out anew over some Interior
matter which was taken to indirectly
involve the one great issue which the
country had yet to settle. The Pierce
administration was no different from
the others. 1t saw the, nrst suggestion
of an American occupation Of Cuba.
When Pierces ministers met as Os-
fend and issued the manifesto which
declared that Cuba should be wrested
from Spain by force i'll case she re-
fused to sell for reasonable price,
the north Immediately declared that
the proposed acquisition of Cuba was
but another step in the direction OF
increased southern slave-holding terri
tory, with the idea of increased polit-
ical supremacy and the final accom-
plishment of definite slavery policy
for the union.
Whether the evidence warranted
this belief or not yet the belief exist
ed and it was now clear that the af-
| fairs had reached a point where re-
organization OF political parties along
geographical lines was inevitable, the
party for one section having for its
aim the restriction and that Of the
other the extension of slavery. North
ern Democrats We're no longer in SYM
|
northern Wings no longer thought
with southern Wings. And SO the po-
| litical alignment changed and we find
northern Democrats and northern
Wings united with Free Sellers in an
anti-siavery group in the north. with
southern Wings and southern Demo
Gratis joining in desperate slavery
group in the south.
The consolidation of the northern
political forces began at once, al
though there was considerable dispute
as to whether the Wings should alb
Sorb the Democrats or vice versa
and a convention of persons repres-
enting all parties opposed TO the fur
Their extension of slavery was held
in an oak grove near Jackson, Mich,
and amidst great enthusiasm declared
itself to be the Republican party in
its proposed restriction and abolition
OF slavery. In the same month similar
conventions were .ield in other free
states and resolutions OF the same ten.
or were adopted.
On February %, 1856, the newly or
ganized Republican party made UP OF
delegates from 90 states. met at Pitts,
burg and issued a declaration of prin,
ciples against slavery and fixed June
II as the date for the holding of the
convention for the nomination Of a
presidential candidate. The two fore
most leaders of the new party We're
Seward and Chase, but there were rea
sons why the nomination of either was
linexpedient. Both were believed to be
too radical TO appeal to border states
as available timber. The young and
daring John G. Fremont soon came tC
be regarded as the candidate possess
ing the greatest elements of availa
bility He had served as California
senator and was widely known for his
Rocky Mountain explorations. On the
first ballot Fremont was nominated tC
be president and William L. Dayton
Of New Jersey was associated witt
him as a candidate for vice president
The platform arraigned slavery anc
polygamy as twin relics of barbarism
In the meantime a practically new