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

party Called Inc american OF hnOW- |
Nothing party, held convention at |
Philadelphia and nominated ex-Presi- !
dent Fillmore as it's candidate for |
president and Andrew ]. Donaldson of
Tennessee for vice president The
Know-Nothing movement had sprung
into existence few years before in
opposition to Roman papalism and to
the increasing influence of the foreign
vote in presidential elections. 1t now
adopted a platform declaring that
Americans should prove to America
| that only native born citizens should
| be elected TO office and urged an
amendment of naturalization laws so
| that 81 years of residence should be
| required before an alien could become
q citizen. A part of the Know Nothing
convention was dissatisfied because of
a majority refusing to oppose slavery.
This faction withdrew and nominated
| Fremont.
| In the meantime the Democrats
were holding their convention at Gin
cinnau. 1t again declared that the par
ty would resist all attempts at renew
ing the slavery agitation and reaftirm-
ed its belief in the principles OF
|
would have required the denomination
, Of Pierce, who had enforced the Kan
sas-Nebraska act, or Stephen A. Doug
las. its author. This was an act in
volving the squatter sovereignty prin-
ciple. namely, that new territories
should decide for themselves their
slavery status Both of these men
were favorites in the south, but
81 4 I,
votes and accordingly the leaders
turned to d man who had borne no
part in the legislation and who had
been far removed from the activities
of the Pierce administration. This
man was James Buchanan of Pennsyl-
vania, who. during the whole of
Pierces administration had been min
lister to Great Britain. In the seven
teenth ballot Buchanan received the
nomination for president and John c..
Breckenridge was nominated for vice
president
/ A terribly prophetic campaign en-,
sued. For the first time ii was Demo-
Gratis against Republicans, and for
the first time it was north against the
south. The south openly declared it
would secede if the Republican ticket
made UP entirely of northern men.
was elected There was universal fear
abroad that the union was in danger.
Many northern voters who were in
sympathy with Fremont and his prin.
ciples feared that the threat of the
south was sincere. No greater EVIL
dence of the country's unconscious in
ate desire to avoid strife can be pro
. duced than the election or Buchanan.
, which followed. Indiana and Pennsyl-
vania were carried by the Democrats,
turning the tide Of victory. Buchanan
, received 174 electoral votes as
against ia for Fremont and eight for
; Fillmore. Buchanan carried Pennsyl.
, vania and Indiana, California, Illinois
!; New Jersey and all of the southern
states except Maryland whose cleo
, toral vote went to Fillmore. The de-
: feat OF the Republican party post
: poned accession for another four
/ years, during which the party devel.
; oped a man who was to lead them to
: victory and be ready when the great
, issue came to meet it with wisdom
| and strength. The Buchanan admins,
, tration was destined to bring to
Americas leadership the nations
saviour, who was to strike the iron
!. from bondage and bid the race stand
. free