Political Life Case A
Dems in Disarray
The national debate over slavery in the 1850s disrupted a decades-long balance in American politics. Unlike the Whig Party, the Democrats survived the crisis but only narrowly. This was especially so later in the decade when the fight over slavery’s future in Kansas turned violent— a direct result of Democrat Stephen A. Douglas’s Kansas-Nebraska Act.
These two documents originate from that dangerous time for the Democrats. The first is Springfield Democrat Charles H. Lanphier’s ticket to the party’s 1856 national convention. That convention nominated James Buchanan—a compromise pro-slavery candidate from free Pennsylvania. In the letter, Buchanan is near the end of his subsequent presidential term worrying that the 1860 national convention will split the ticket between the party’s pro-slavery and popular sovereignty wings. He frets that having two Democratic candidates will open the door for the Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln to carry the Electoral College. Buchanan was right.
Democratic Convention Ticket gift of Charles Patton, 1992
MS-LR231 – Ticket to 1856 Democratic convention
MS-SC202 – James Buchanan Letters – Buchanan to Robert Tyler, June 13, 1860, predicting collapse of Democratic Party
Label Audio
James Buchanan to Robert Tyler, 13 June 1860
Washington 13 June 1860.
My dear Sir/
Do you wish me to place the letter of Captain Maddox to yourself on file. Also that of Mr Iverson to him.
I am sure that you will think I ought occasionally to make an appointment according to my own wishes and judgment. I know the officers of the Marine Corps tolerably well & I intend to exercise the privilege upon the present occasion. Although Sutherland has not yet been removed nor is it yet ascertained that he will be a [defaulted?], yet the applications are already numerous for his place. Your friend Maddox will never be [blessed?] in this race.
I return Mr Campbells letter according to your request. Immediately upon its receipt I spoke to the Secretary of War upon the subject & he informed me that the rule as to the length of time a Surgeon should remain at West Point had been changed & that Dr Campbell was the first whom the change had affected. He gave me strong reasons for the change which I have not time to repeat. His successor Dr Hammond has seen much hard service in New Mexico & our remote frontiers. So says Gov: Floyd who informs me it is too late to recall Dr Hammonds’ appointment. I am sorry I did not know the facts in time I believe the service of a Surgeon at West Point has been reduced to two years.
I have hardly time now to say my prayers. Should they succeed at Baltimore in rejecting the regular Delegates from the seceding states & admitting those who are “bogus”, then Douglas will or may be nominated. In that event the unity & strength of the Democratic party is annihilated & Lincoln elected. This will section is not the worst. The Democratic party will be divided & sectionalized & that too on the slavery issue. Every thing looks bad not only for the party but for the Country The information from New York is not every encouraging.
In haste always sincerely
Yr friend
James Buchanan
Robert Tyler Esq
P.S. I hope you well be to see us ere long & stop at my house if you like the entertainment
Letter Audio