PREFACE, CONTENTS. PAGE 4 POLITICAL PARTIES: 1789 TO 1856. THE EDITOR,. Origin of Parties in the United States-Formation and Adoption of Formation of the National Republican (Whig) and Democratic Parties -The Tariff of 1828—The Democrats under Jackson-The "Spoils System" Surplus Revenue Panic of 1837 - Overthrow of the Democracy in 1840-Tariff of 1842-War with Mexico-The Tariff of 1846-Wilmot Proviso-Popular Sovereignty-Kansas and Nebraska Bill-Native American Party-Divisions on the Slavery Question RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE REPUBLICAN PArty, 1856–88. The Political Situation-Clay Compromise Measures of 1850-Re- peal of the Missouri Compromise-The Struggle in Kansas-Organ- ization of the Republican Party-Party Platforms-Buchanan's Election -The Dred Scott Decision-It intensifies the Slavery Agitation- Presidential Election of 1860-Position of Parties-Lincoln's Election -The Secession Movement-Buchanan's Message-Contrast with Jackson's Policy in 1832-The Resolutions of '98-The Confederate Constitution-Its Interpretation by A. H. Stephens-" Peace Con- gress" at Washington-President Lincoln's Inauguration-Lincoln and Slavery-The Emancipation Proclamation-The Thirteenth Consti- 36 tutional Amendment-Lincoln's Re-election in 1864-The Political Situation-The Anti-Slavery Amendment-President Johnson's Restoration Policy-" Freedmen's Codes" in the South-Action of the Thirty-ninth Congress-The Military Reconstruction Act-The Presidential Election of 1868-The Fifteenth Amendment-Lincoln's Probable Action-A Retrospect-The Financial Record of the Parties -Treasury Notes-Internal Revenue Laws-The "Legal Tender" Act-The National Banking Law-Rapid Decrease of the Enormous War Debt-Resumption of Specie Payments-Recent Political History PART II.-VITAL QUESTIONS. PUBLIC LANDS. L. E. PAYSON, M. C. FROM ILLINOIS, . Our Original Land Policy-Pre-emption Laws-Origin and Results Our Pension System-Growth of the Pension List-Pension Office Administration-Spirit and Aims of Parties-Pension Vetoes-Action Original Fishing Rights: How Acquired-Treaties of 1783, 1818, and Condition in 1861-Wonderful Increase in Power-Brilliant Exploits Our Strength on Land-Condition of our Sea-coast Defenses-Want Early Maritime Spirit-Growth and Decline of our Carrying Trade- PAGE OUR FOREIGN TRADE. HON. J. C. BURROWS, OF MICHIGAN, 219 Growth of our Exports and Imports, 1790 to 1887-Balance of Trade-Promotion of Foreign Commerce by Establishing Postal Facili- INTERNAL REVENUE. HON. GREEN B. RAUM, OF ILLINOIS, 231 Fiscal Policy adopted in 1861-Direct and Internal Taxation a War Measure-Comprehensive Character of the System-The Enormous The Higher Considerations of the Subject-A Question of Industrial Agricultural Growth-Decrease in Size, and Increase in Number and Value of Farms-The Cereals-Hay, Cotton, Tobacco, and Other Great Commerce-Rapid Growth-Inland-Coastwise Railroads-Rise, Growth, and Present Condition of our Railway Waterways — Mining - The Precious Metals - Useful Minerals THE CIVIL SERVICE. SENATOR HENRY CABOT LODGE, OF The "Spoils System "-Origin of the Reform Movement-Progress THE NEW SOUTH. JOHN S. WISE, OF VIRGINIA, EX M. C., wrought by Emancipation-Changed Conditions and Opinions—Old Republicans Favor Honest Elections-Democratic Crimes against the Suffrage-Southern Elections-Election of 1876—Recent Frauds in Va- Past Achievements-Constituent Elements of the Two Great Parties-The Republican Faith-Important Objects to be Accomplished RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, 1884 To 344-447 THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. POLITICAL PARTIES: 1789-1856. BY THE EDITOR. DURING the Revolution there were two parties-the Whig and the Tory. The former contended for independence from Great Britain; the latter for continued allegiance to that power. The patriots triumphed, and the Tories either fled the country or accepted the situation and submitted. For a time thereafter no organized political parties existed. Under the Articles of Confederation, however, earnest movement soon began for a stronger common government. There was no executive power. Congress could recommend action. to the States, but it had no power to enforce action. It was a political condition of national helplessness. Its continuance was certain to result in resolving the Union back into its original elements of thirteen independent sovereignties. There was a general recognition of the necessity of a more vigorous national constitution; but when the question came of its formation, then began the differences which have ever since distinguished parties in this country. On one side were those who emphasized the Nation, demanded sovereign federal power, and insisted on liberal provision for national development and forthputting; while on the other were those who emphasized the States, demanded the reservation of their sovereignty, and insisted on restricted national powers. The Constitution was a compromise of these conflicting forces. And as the conflict was waged in its promotion, so has it since been waged in its interpretation and application. The question of its adop tion by the several States turned each one of them into two con |