twenty States representing the Constitutional-Union Party. It adopted for a platform the Constitution, and declared adherence to the union of the States and the enforcement of the laws. John Bell was nominated for President and Edward Everett for Vice-President.
The old Whig party had now disappeared, and is no more heard of in American politics. Slavery, the crime against civilization, had no longer use for a party of compromises but demanded the support and protection of the National Government. The Republicans sternly—and the Douglas Democrats mildly—resisted such demands. The Constitution-Union party was neutral and the Breckinridge Democrats were aggressive in support of slavery. All minor issues were overshadowed and the great conflict between freedom and slavery aroused the most intense interest of the entire country.
The Republican State Convention met at Iowa City, May 23d, 1860, and nominated Elijah Sells for Secretary of State; J. W. Cattell for Auditor; J. W. Jones, Treasurer; C. C. Nourse, Attorney-General; A. B. Miller, Register Land Office and George G. Wright for Supreme Judge. The resolutions indorsed the platform and candidates of the national Republican Convention.
The Democratic State Convention was held at Des Moines on the 12th of July, and nominated the following candidates for State officers: J. M. Corse,* Secretary of State; G. W. Maxfield, Auditor; J. W. Ellis, Treasurer; Patrick Robb, Register; D. F. Miller, Supreme Judge. The convention indorsed the candidates of the Douglas wing of the Democratic National Conventions and declared for economy in State expenses, a revision of the Constitution and radical changes in the banking system.
The campaign was a warm one, the candidates for electors took the field and advocated the respective platforms of their parties with vigor, arousing enthusiasm and fierce antagonisms, which resulted in bringing out a large vote.
* Corse became a distinguished officer in the War of the Rebellion.
