Constitutional Union PartyGrand national union banner for 1860
Image from Library of Congress PlatformThe Constitutional Union Party's main purpose was to keep the country together and prevent civil war. It did not offer a position on any other issue.
"...it is both the part of patriotism and of duty to recognize no political principle other than THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNTRY, THE UNION OF THE STATES, AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS..." |
Pre-ConventionIn February 1860, thirty former Whigs and Know-Nothings, mostly from the South, issued an address entitled "To the People of the United States." It stated the need for their new party and said that the Democrats and Republicans could not be "safely entrusted with the management of public affairs."
ConventionTheir convention was also in Baltimore, in May 1860. This was after the failed Charleston Democratic convention, but before the Chicago Republican convention, and before the Democrats' second try in Baltimore. At this point they knew Democrats hadn't picked a nominee and Republicans would probably choose Seward. Among the names floating around for their nominee were John Crittenden, Winfeld Scott, Sam Houston, and John McLean. The party ended up nominating former U.S. Speaker of the House John Bell, a Whig from Tennessee.
John Bell
Image from Library of Congress |