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THIRD PARTIES: THE FREE SOIL PARTY, PART II

© John S. Cooper

The Free Soil Party did more than merely change the outcome of the 1848 presidential contest. It elected a dozen or more men to both houses of Congress, and elected at least one state governor, Salmon P. Chase in Ohio.

The Free Soil Party had its roots in the Liberty Party, formed in Albany, New York in 1840. The Liberty Party never became a major force. In the presidential election of 1840, it nominated James G. Birney, a “reformed” slave owner, and won only 7,000 votes. But it succeeded in placing the slavery debate on the national agenda, and in 1844 it again nominated James. G. Birney and won 62,000 votes.

In 1848, the Liberty Party could not agree on a nominee. Different factions of the party were arguing over the future of the party, and the result was the end of the Liberty Party. While Liberty Party members joined a variety of other parties, most joined the new Free Soil Party, along with New York “Barn Burners” and Conscience Whigs.

As stated earlier, the Free Soil Party nominated former President Van Buren and won over 10% of the vote in the 1848 presidential election. Of course, as we have seen, Van Buren’s presence on the ballot in New York split the Democratic majority and gave New York, and the election, to the Whig Party.

Unlike the defunct Liberty Party, the Free Soil Party grew and gained in strength and influence. They elected a number of people to the U.S. House of Representatives, but none of these men became leaders in Congress. Most served only one or two terms.

Charles Allen served two terms (1849-1853) and declined to run for re-election in 1852. He returned to Massachusetts, where he had been a judge before serving in Congress, and became the Chief Justice of the Suffolk County Superior Court (1859-1867).

Walter Booth of Connecticut served one term (1849-1851). He was defeated when he ran for re-election.

Alexander DeWitt served one term (1853-1855) as a Free Soiler, and then served two terms (1855-1857) as a Republican after that party was formed. He was defeated for re-election in 1856.

Joseph M. Root served two terms as a member of the Whig Party (1845-1849) and then, joining the Free Soil Party was re-elected to another term (1849-1851). He then joined the Republican Party and, during the Civil War, he served as a U.S. Attorney in Ohio. After the Civil War, he joined the Democratic Party.

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