Chapter 7

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY (CONTINUED). A Notable Fugitive Slave Case--Inauguration of Pierce--Repeal of the Missouri Compromise--Its Effects upon the Parties--The Free Soil Position--Know-Nothingism--The Situation--First Steps in the Formation of the Republican Party--Movements of the Know-Nothings --Mistake of the Free Soilers--Anti-slavery Progress--Election of Banks as Speaker--Call for a Republican National Convention at Pittsburg--Organization of the Party--The Philadelphia Convention and its Platform--Nomination of Fremont--Know-Nothing and Whig Nominations--Democratic Nomination and Platform--The Grand Issue of the Campaign--The Democratic Canvass--The splendid Fight for Fremont--Triumph of Buchanan--Its Causes and Results--The Teaching of Events.