A decade prior to the Civil War there were two major political parties in the United States:
Democrats, who favored freedom of choice to own slaves;
and Whigs, who tried to be a big tent party to stem the loss of members to the Know-Nothing Party.
In
Ripon, Wisconsin, anti-slavery activists met for the first time on
February 28, 1854, then held their first State Convention in Jackson,
Michigan, JULY 6, 1854.
This new political party took a stand on social issues regarding the value of human life, being against slavery.
Also,
in response to a movement in Utah to redefine marriage, this new party
stood for marriage being between one man and one woman.
They named their party "Republican."
The chief plank of the Republican Party was "to prohibit...those twin relics of barbarism: POLYGAMY AND SLAVERY."
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Those attempting to redefine marriage were denounced by Republican President Ulysses S. Grant, December 4, 1871:
"In
Utah there still remains a remnant of barbarism, repugnant to
civilization, to decency, and to the laws of the United States...
Neither polygamy nor any other violation of existing statutes will be permitted...
They will not be permitted to violate the laws under the cloak of religion."
On December 7, 1875, President Grant stated:
"In
nearly every annual message...I have called attention to
the...scandalous condition of affairs existing in the Territory of Utah,
and have asked for definite legislation to correct it.
That
polygamy should exist in a free, enlightened, and Christian country,
without the power to punish so flagrant a crime against decency and
morality, seems preposterous...
As an institution polygamy should be banished from the land...
I
deem of vital importance to....drive out licensed immorality, such as
polygamy and the importation of women for illegitimate purposes."
Republican President Rutherford B. Hayes stated, December 1, 1879:
"Polygamy is condemned as a crime by the laws of all civilized communities throughout the world."
President Hayes stated December 6, 1880:
"The SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE and the FAMILY relation are the cornerstone of our American society and civilization."
Republican President Chester Arthur stated, December 6, 1881:
"For
many years the Executive...has urged the necessity of stringent
legislation for the suppression of polygamy...this odious crime, so
revolting to the moral and religious sense of Christendom."
Supreme Court Chief Justice Morrison Waite, appointed by Republican Ulysses S. Grant, rendered the
Murphy v. Ramsey, 1885, decision:
"Every person who has a husband or wife living...and marries another...is guilty of polygamy, and shall be punished...
No
legislation can be supposed more wholesome and necessary in the
founding of a free, self-governing commonwealth...than that which seeks
to establish it on the basis of the idea of THE FAMILY,
as
consisting in and springing from the union for life of ONE MAN and ONE
WOMAN in the holy estate of matrimony; the sure foundation of all that
is stable and noble in our civilization;
the best guaranty of that reverent morality which is the source of all beneficent progress in social and political improvement."
The stand against polygamy is in the comprehensive annotated
John Quincy Adams-A Bibliography, compiled by Lynn H. Parsons (Westport, CT, 1993, p. 41, entry #194, Essay on Turks, 1827):
"Mohammed
poisoned the sources of human felicity at the fountain, by degrading
the condition of the female sex, and the allowance of polygamy."
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Field, appointed by Republican President Abraham Lincoln, rendered the
Davis v. Beason, 1890, decision:
"Bigamy and polygamy are crimes by the laws of all civilized and Christian countries...
They...destroy the purity of the MARRIAGE relation...degrade woman and debase man...
There
have been sects which denied...there should be any marriage tie, and
advocated promiscuous intercourse of the sexes as prompted by the
passions of its members...
Should a sect of either of these kinds ever find its way into this country, swift punishment would follow."
Justice Stephen Field concluded:
"The
constitutions of several States, in providing for religious freedom,
have declared expressly that such freedom SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
EXCUSE ACTS OF LICENTIOUSNESS."
Republican President Theodore Roosevelt stated to Congress, January 30, 1905:
"The
institution of MARRIAGE is, of course, at the very foundation of our
social organization, and all influences that affect that institution are
of vital concern to the people of the whole country."
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For an in depth comparison of Political Parties-Past & Present, visit:
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