The first Republican candidate: John C. Fremont

The days of the Whig party were shortening after Winfield Scott's loss to Franklin Pierce in the 1852 presidential election, and a new party was formed in 1854, and in 1856, the Republican party ran its first candidate in a presidential election, nominating military man John Charles Fremont. Known as "The Pathfinder" for his expeditions in California and fame won in the Mexican War, Fremont was chosen over more notable figures, like William H. Seward, or Samuel Chase, men who would become prominent in the next presidential election. It was going to be hard for the Republicans to win in their first attempt, but Fremont seemed like a popular choice. Running for the Democratic party in 1856 was Pennsylvanian James Buchanan, who had an impressive resume. Having served as James K. Polk's Secretary of State and Franklin Pierce's Minister to Great Britain, Buchanan was a popular choice for Democrats and had been out of the country for some controversial bills passed in America, like the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. This was also the first time in history that a major party passed over the incumbent, deciding not to nominate Franklin Pierce. The ticket for the Democrats was weighted along North-South lines, with Buchanan from PA and the vice-presidential nominee John C. Breckinridge from the slave state of Kentucky. There was also a third party in this election, headed up by former president Millard Fillmore, called the American Party, or Know Nothings. The election was fairly close, but a trend started to emerge this election and would last well into the 1900's. The Democrats under Buchanan won every southern slave state in the Union, and Fremont won 11 states, all in the midwest or northeast, all free states. This trend would continue for decades, as the south voted overwhelmingly Democrat and the north voted Republican. Buchanan won less than 50% of the popular vote, but won enough to carry the election. Fremont later went on to serve in the Civil War for the Union and was a Major General, but was famously removed after freeing the slaves in Missouri, and saw little action after 1862. This item is a token promoting Fremont, and simply lists his birth date on the front. Most items from this election are rare, especially Buchanan items, but some Fremont medals or tokens like this are affordable and less than $50.