The new party was at the same time more democratic and more strongly nationalistic than the former major parties. In opposing the ex tension of slavery, it asserted the power of Congress to exclude slaves from the Territories, against the opinion of the Supreme Court in the Dred Scot case. It also reaffirmed the Whig policies of a protective tariff and internal improvements, and added to these the enact ment of a homestead law. With the secession of the Southern States, the work of first im portance became the maintenance of the Union; and in this the Republicans received the sup port of many Democrats, although the conduct of the Civil War led to an enormous increase in the work of the national government and the executive.
After the war the Republicans continued in control of the national government through the period of reconstruction; and during this time the national authority was still further extended by the adoption of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. The Demo cratic party, almost silenced during the war, gradually regained control of the Southern and some Northern States; but the Republicans retained the popular support of patriotic feel ing, combined with the aid of the manufactur ing and capitalistic classes fostered by their economic policy, and a highly developed po litical organization.
Party Oscillations 1876-96.— After the re construction of the Southern States a new period of party history begins, marked by lack of clearly defined issues and oscillating party victories. The older issues were settled; but the Republican and Democratic party organi zation remained in existence. Criticism of po litical abuses under President Grant led to the abortive Liberal Republican movement of 1872; and in the reaction following the panic of 1873 the Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives. In 1876 the Republicans re tained the Presidency through the findings of the Electoral Commission. The. Democrats on several occasions were successful in the Con gressional elections, and elected Cleveland as President in 1884 and 1892. But during the 20 years to 1896 no party controlled both the executive and legislative branches of the na tional government for more than two years at a time.
The most distinctive issue between the two parties was the tariff. The Republicans were definitely committed to a high protective policy, while the Democrats favored a reduction of rates and a revenue tariff. In their platforms the Democrats maintained their traditional attitude toward economy and the limited ex ercise of governmental powers.. The Repub
licans continued the policy of internal improve ments.
But new questions were arising which gained support in both parties. Opposition to the cor rupting influence of the spoils system led to the passage of the Civil Service Law in 1883. Agitation for government regulation of rail roads led to State legislation and to the Inter state Commerce Law of 1887. Business depres sion and opposition to the financial interests led to demands for more and cheaper currency, which resulted in the passage of compromise measures of 1878 and 1890, and culminated in the cry for the °free coinage)) of silver. The growth of monopolies led to the passage of anti-trust laws in the States and to the Sher man Law of 1890.
The general condition of political unrest was indicated by the appearance ofa new i series of minor parties. Beginning in 1872, the Prohibitionists have regularly nominated Presidential candidates, favoring the prohibition of the liquor traffic; but they have never polled a large vote. The Greenback party had candi dates at each Presidential election from 1876 to 1884, supporting the issue of government paper currency. In 1888 there was a Union Labor party ticket. These two elements of rural and urban labor discontent were com bined in 1890 in the Populist party, which polled more than a million votes in 1892. This party supported the free coinage' of silver, postal savings banks, a graduated in come tax; government railroads, telegraphs and telephones; and the transfer of unused land to actual settlers. Even more radical measures were advocated by the Socialist Labor party which also had candidates in 1892.
Republican Control from 1896 to 1912.— The Presidential election of 1896 brought about an important readjustment of party lines, which ushered in another period of 16 years continuous Republican control of the national government. The Democratic National Con vention of 1896, controlled by the radical wing, adopted a platform in favor of the free coin age of silver and nominated for President W. J. Bryan.. This brought to their support the Populists and silver Republicans; but lost the conservative gold standard Democrats in the East. The Republicans, reaffirming their pro tective tariff views, now took a positive posi tion in favor of "sound and with the support of the business interests elected Mc Kinley and controlled both houses of Congress.