1856 American National Convention

The American Party absorbed most of the former Whig Party in 1854, and by 1855 it had established itself as the chief opposition party to the Democrats. In the 82 races for the House of Representatives in 1854, the American Party ran 76 candidates, 35 of whom won. None of the six Independents or Whigs who ran in these races was elected. The party then succeeded in electing Nathaniel P. Banks as Speaker of the House in the 34th Congress.

Following the decision by party leaders in 1855 not to press the slavery issue, the convention had to decide how to deal with the Ohio chapter of the party, which was vocally anti-slavery. The convention closed the Ohio chapter and re-opened it under more moderate leadership. Delegates from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, New England, and other Northern states bolted when a resolution declaring that no candidate that opposed prohibiting slavery north of the 36'30' parallel would be granted the nomination was voted down.{{cite book |title=American Presidential Elections |author=Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. |page=1020}}{{clarify|date=July 2014}} This removed a greater part of the American Party's support in the North outside of New York, where the conservative faction of the Whig Party remained faithful.{{cite book |title=A History of Presidential Elections |author=Eugene H. Roseboom |page=159}}

Image:Millard Fillmore by Brady Studio 1855-65-crop.jpg|Former President
Millard Fillmore
of New York

Image:GeorgeLaw.png|Steamboat Entrepreneur
George Law
of New York

Image:GarrettDavisKY.jpg|Former Representative
Garrett Davis
of Kentucky

Image:Kenneth Rayner.jpg|Former Representative
Kenneth Rayner
of North Carolina

Image:SHouston 2.jpg|Senator
Sam Houston
of Texas
(Disavowed Conventions)

Image:Hon. Robert F. Stockton, N.J - NARA - 526010 (cropped).jpg|Former Senator
Robert F. Stockton
of New Jersey

Image:John Bell (Restored).png|Senator
John Bell
of Tennessee

Image:Erastus Brooks (NYPL Hades-165542-EM11505).jpg|State Senator
Erastus Brooks
of New York

Image:John M. Clayton, head-and-shoulders length studio portrait, facing left LCCN2015651550.tif|Senator
John M. Clayton
of Delaware
(Withdrawn after
Informal Vote)

Image:W F Johnston.jpg|Former Governor
William F. Johnston
of Pennsylvania
(Declined during
Informal Vote)

After the most intense excitement had prevailed, the Convention agreed to a motion of Mr. Ely to proceed to an informal vote for nomination. Former Governor Johnston received 14 votes, but before the vote was closed he announced that he was not a candidate, whereupon several members changed their votes for other parties. The result of the informal ballot placed Fillmore in first place with 71 votes. Mr. Norris of Delaware withdrew the name of Senator Clayton and said his state was now united for Fillmore.

The vote for president was then proceeded with, the name of each member being called, each state being entitled to its vote in the Electoral College, the absentees, to be voted for proportionately by the votes cast; no state not represented to be entitled to vote. The unofficial first ballot saw Fillmore increase his strength to 114 votes. It was at this point that various delegates changed their votes to Fillmore. The official first ballot saw former President Millard Fillmore nominated for president with 179 votes out of the 242 votes cast.

Mr. Scraggs, the delegate from New York who had placed Law in nomination, moved that Fillmore be declared the unanimous choice of the Convention. The motion being put, it was carried by a tremendous shout of ayes.

Presidential Balloting / 3rd Day of Convention (February 25, 1856)

File:1856KnowNothingPresidentialNomination1stBallotBefore.png|1st Presidential Ballot
(Before Shifts)

Image:Andrew J. Donelson portrait (cropped 3x4).jpg|Former Ambassador
Andrew J. Donelson
of Tennessee

Image:GovHenryJGardner.jpg|Governor
Henry Gardner
of Massachusetts
(Not Nominated)

Image:Kenneth Rayner.jpg|Former Representative
Kenneth Rayner
of North Carolina

Image:AxHHStuart (cropped).jpg|Former Interior Secretary
Alexander Stuart
of Virginia
(Not Nominated)

Image:William Russell Smith - Südstaatenpolitiker.jpg|Representative
William R. Smith
of Alabama
(Not Nominated)

Image:Richard Keith Call.jpg|Former Governor
Richard K. Call
of Florida
(Declined)
(Nominated Donelson)

In a nominating speech which praised him as a man of truth, courage and ability, General Call was put before the Convention as a vice presidential candidate. But the former territorial governor declined the honor and begged to be permitted to present one more acceptable. He proposed the name of Andrew Jackson Donelson and it was received with immense applause. Former Representative Rayner of North Carolina and Representative Percy Walker of Alabama were also placed in nomination.

The Convention then proceeded to ballot for a candidate for vice president. The ballot for a candidate for the vice presidency was attended with much excitement and frequent changes of votes created difficulty in making a correct record. In addition to the names placed in nomination, the following individuals received votes: William R. Smith of Alabama, Alexander Stuart of Virginia and Henry Gardner of Massachusetts. But after the vote had been called, delegates from various states arose and changed their votes in favor of Donelson.

Mr. Donelson, having received a majority of the votes for the vice presidency, was declared duly nominated for that position. On motion, and amid much applause, the nomination was made unanimous.

Image:Hon. Robert F. Stockton, N.J - NARA - 526010 (cropped).jpg|Former Senator
Robert F. Stockton
of New Jersey
(Withdrew)
(Endorsed Fillmore)

A group of North American delegates called the North American Seceders withdrew from the convention and met separately. They objected to the attempt to work with the Republican Party. The Seceders held their own national convention on 6/16-17/1856. 19 delegates unanimously nominated Robert F. Stockton for president and Kenneth Raynor for vice-president. The Seceders' ticket later withdrew from the contest, with Stockton endorsing Millard Fillmore for the Presidency.{{cite book |title=A History of Presidential Elections |author=Eugene H. Roseboom |page=160}}

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Category:Political conventions in Philadelphia

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Category:19th-century political conferences

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