ABSTRACT
Van Buren’s Free Soil bolt from the Democratic party in 1848 added to the Whig following. Between 1853 and 1856, Whig factions bolted to join the new coalition that became the modern Republican party. To accomplish the merger, Whigs and Republicans held simultaneous state conventions in Syracuse, New York, on September 26. The voice of the old Jacksonian was powerful enough to cause countless Democrats to come over to the Republicans. A special committee was appointed to prepare an invitation to them and all other parties to join the Republicans. The idea was to bring together Midwest Republicans and Eastern War Democrats. The North-South struggle in each party focused particularly on the disposition of the slave issue in new territories acquired in the Mexican War. The Southerners were indignant and parted with expressions of regret about the future of the Whig party.
