Republican Party structure Origins of the American Civil War

william h. seward, secretary of state under abraham lincoln , andrew johnson.

despite significant loss in election of 1856, republican leaders realized though appealed northern voters, need win 2 more states, such pennsylvania , illinois, win presidency in 1860.

as democrats grappling own troubles, leaders in republican party fought keep elected members focused on issue of slavery in west, allowed them mobilize popular support. chase wrote sumner if conservatives succeeded, might necessary recreate free soil party. particularly disturbed tendency of many republicans eschew moral attacks on slavery political , economic arguments.

the controversy on slavery in west still not creating fixation on issue of slavery. although old restraints on sectional tensions being eroded rapid extension of mass politics , mass democracy in north, perpetuation of conflict on issue of slavery in west still required efforts of radical democrats in south , radical republicans in north. had ensure sectional conflict remain @ center of political debate.

william seward contemplated potential in 1840s, when democrats nation s majority party, controlling congress, presidency, , many state offices. country s institutional structure , party system allowed slaveholders prevail in more of nation s territories , garner great deal of influence on national policy. growing popular discontent unwillingness of many democratic leaders take stand against slavery, , growing consciousness of party s increasingly pro-southern stance, seward became convinced way whig party counteract democrats strong monopoly of rhetoric of democracy , equality whigs embrace anti-slavery party platform. once again, increasing numbers of northerners, southern labor system increasingly seen contrary ideals of american democracy.

republicans believed in existence of slave power conspiracy , had seized control of federal government , attempting pervert constitution own purposes. slave power idea gave republicans anti-aristocratic appeal men seward had long wished associated politically. fusing older anti-slavery arguments idea slavery posed threat northern free labor , democratic values, enabled republicans tap egalitarian outlook lay @ heart of northern society.

in sense, during 1860 presidential campaign, republican orators cast honest abe embodiment of these principles, repeatedly referring him child of labor , son of frontier , had proved how honest industry , toil rewarded in north. although lincoln had been whig, wide awakes (members of republican clubs), used replicas of rails had split remind voters of humble origins.

in every northern state, organizers attempted have republican party or anti-nebraska fusion movement on ballots in 1854. in areas radical republicans controlled new organization, comprehensive radical program became party policy. helped organize republican party in summer of 1854, radicals played important role in national organization of party in 1856. republican conventions in new york, massachusetts, , illinois adopted radical platforms. these radical platforms in such states wisconsin, michigan, maine, , vermont called divorce of government slavery, repeal of fugitive slave laws, , no more slave states, did platforms in pennsylvania, minnesota, , massachusetts when radical influence high.

conservatives @ republican 1860 nominating convention in chicago able block nomination of william seward, had earlier reputation radical (but 1860 had been criticized horace greeley being moderate). other candidates had earlier joined or formed parties opposing whigs , had thereby made enemies of many delegates. lincoln selected on third ballot. however, conservatives unable bring resurrection of whiggery . convention s resolutions regarding slavery same had been in 1856, language appeared less radical. in following months, republican conservatives thomas ewing , edward baker embraced platform language normal condition of territories freedom . in all, organizers had done effective job of shaping official policy of republican party.

southern slave holding interests faced prospects of republican president , entry of new free states alter nation s balance of power between sections. many southerners, resounding defeat of lecompton constitution foreshadowed entry of more free states union. dating missouri compromise, southern region desperately sought maintain equal balance of slave states , free states competitive in senate. since last slave state admitted in 1845, 5 more free states had entered. tradition of maintaining balance between north , south abandoned in favor of addition of more free soil states.