The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1929-06-14
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OF the lille 90 ueSFeSS OU lHluutcS. IL 1tS uudA
form the bill declared the Missouri Compromise
imperative and void" because it was "inconsist-
ent with the principle of nonntervention by con-
gress with slavery in the states and territories as
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 KansasNe-
raska bills, no matter what their party affiliations
Urge them to forget previous organizations and to
be bound together under the name suggested to
you at Loyejoy's hotel in 1852. mean the name
of Republican. 1t is the only 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 new party. Late in the month he
gathered together in the Congregational church at
Ripon a group of those who believed as he did
On March 20, mass meeting was called in district
schoolhouse 2, small white frame building. OF
the hundred or so voters in Ripon, Boyay was able
to get ffty-three to his meeting. They were
varied lot so far political affliation was con-
cerned--Whigs, Democrats and Free-Soilers To
them Bovay offered his resolution that new
party to be called Republican be organized 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-
tOn was appointed, consisting Of three Wings, one
Free-Soiler and one Democrat. They were Bovay,
his friend Jedediah Bowen, Amos Lopez, A.
Thomas, and J. 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
inee in 1856, the Kansas Nebraska bill was passed
in May, 1854. Immediately fierce opposition
famed up in the North and during the summer 1t
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 6, 1854 there
was held in an oak grove on the outskirts of Jack
son 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 M. Howard wrote and supported platform
of considerable length which was unanimously
adopted. It 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
shat postponing and suspending all differences
in regard to political economy 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 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 a Wis
consin convention as we'll 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
q defeat in 1852 which had demoralized them and
had practically shattered that party. Then also,
there had risen the American party the All
American party, commonly known as the Know
Nothings because of the reply they made when
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 conglomeration.
Some Of them favored the extension Of slavery.
seAile- osheRs opposed There Mese 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