The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-06-14
HE MswoWc SCHOOL K010E

of the line SO degrees 80 minutes In its final
form the bill declared the Missouri Compromise,
imperative and void" because it was "inconsist-
ent with the principle of noninterventon by con-
gress with slavery in the states and territories
recognized by the legislation of 1850"
When the Kansas Nebraska bill was introduced,
Bovay wrote to Greeley as follows: "Your paper
is now power In the land. Advocate calling to-
gether in every schoolhouse and church in the
free states all the opponents of the Kansas-Ne-
raska bills, matter what their party affiliations.
Urge them to forget previous organizations and to
be bound together under the name suggested to
you at Lovejoy's hotel in 1852. I mean the name
of Republican. 1t is the only one which will serve
all purposes, past and future-the only one that
will live and last"
During February of that year Bovay called again
and again to foes of slavery to rally under the
banner of a new party. Late in the month he
gathered together in the Congregational church at
Ripon group Of those who believed as he did.
On March co. mass meeting was called in district
schoolhouse g small white frame building. OF
the hundred or so voters in Ripon, BOvay was able
to get fftythree to his meeting They were a
varied lot so far as political afiliation was con-
cerned-- Whigs Democrats and Free-Soilers. To
them Bovay offered his resolution that new
party to be+-called Republioan be arganizad at
once, based on the opposition to slavery. As
result, his suggestion was adopted and the town
committees appointed by the Free-Soil and Wing
parties were dissolved A committee on organiza-
tion was appointed, consisting Of three Wings one
Free-Soiler and one Democrat. They were BOvay,
his friend Jededah Bowen, Amos Lopez, A.
Thomas, and ]. Woodruff.
Considering the slow process which usually rep
resents the evolution of a political party, the
growth of the Republican party was swift. Under
the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas who was
ambitious to be the Democratic Presidential nom-
loco N1l.o l.
in May, 1854. Immediately fierce opposition
famed up in the North and during the summer it
continued to burn. 1t is at this point that the
claim of Jackson, Mich, to being the Republican
cradle comes to the front. On July g. 1854, there
was held in an oak grove on the outskirts of jack
statewide representative mass meeting act
ing as state convention, assembled in response
to call signed by several thousand citizens OF
Michigan inviting the cooperation Of all who were
opposed to the extension of slavery
The chairman of the committee of resolution,
Jacob NJ Howard, wrote and supported platform
of considerable length which was unanimously
adopted. 1t denounced slavery as relic OF bar
barism, great moral, social and political evil"
and declared that it was the purpose Of the IA
theirs of the Republic to prevent the spread of
slavery. 1t also asserted that it was now the duty
of congress to carry out this purpose by restoring
the restriction on slavery laid down in the Mis-
souri, Compromise. The delegates also resolved
"that postponing and suspending all differences
in regard to political economy or administrative
policy, we will cooperate and be known as Re-
publicans until after the contest be determined"
They also earnestly recommended that there be
called general convention of the free states and
such of the slave-hoding states as may desire to
be represented, with a view to the adoption OF
other more extended and effectual measures In
resistance to the encroachments of slavery" The
name Republican was also used later in Wis
consin convention as well as at state gatherings
in the East, held in New York. Massachusetts,, Yer
mont and Maine
The new party gained strength during the next
two years as it drew to its standard various ele-
ments from other parties. The Wings had suffered
a defeat in 1852 which had demoralized them and
had practically shattered that party. Then, also.
there had risen the American party or the All
American party, commonly known as the Know
Nothings because of the reply they made when
y asked about details Of their organization and sup
posedly secret ritual. This strange body, founded
on racial and religious prejudices, had succeeded
in electing governors in several states and had
sent nearly hundred representatives to the house
of representatives.
The Know Nothings were congomeration.
Some Of them favored the extension of slavery,
while others opposed There were also the Free
Sellers committed to the abolition of slavery by
political means The Free Soil party had been
connected with the Liberty party. which had much