This faction of the North American Party seceded from the
larger convention when it was apparent that the larger faction wanted to collaborate with the fledgling Republican Party.
When the North American Convention re-convened on 6/16/1856, the chair of the NJ delegation was recognized. He read a statement by Robert F. Stockton, the candidate the delegation had supported in prior ballots, withdrawing from the nomination. Stockton believed that the party needed to nominate a nativist candidate, regardless of the convention's desire to defeat James Buchanan. Following his statement, the entire NJ delegation walked out of the convention; some other delegates cheered them as they departed.
North American (Seceders) National Convention, 1856 |
 |  |
| Presidential Nominee | Vice Presidential Nominee |
Former U.S. Sen.
Richard F. Stockton NJ | Former U.S. Rep.
Kenneth Rayner NC |
The Seceders Convention
Delegates gathered in Palace Hall in New York City. There were 19 delegates present from eight states.
Temporary Chairman: Joseph Franklin NJ
When Franklin took the chair, he stated "now he felt himself at home, because he found himself in an American convention."
J.H. Jones then gave a speech in which he encouraged the party to continue in its course to set forth a pure American ticket. At the end of his speech, the single delegate from Delaware to the larger convention had bolted and joined the Seceders.
Temporary Chairman #2: Charles Livingston
Seceding delegates from other states arrived throughout the remainder of the proceedings. The convention appointed a committee on organization and one on nominees, then adjourned for the afternoon.
Permanent Chairman: A.S. Livingston NY
The committee on nominations proposed the names of Robert F. Stockton for President and Kenneth Raynor for VP. The ticket was unanimously nominated by the convention.
On the second day of the convention, an Ohio delegate appeared and told the convention that he supported the Fillmore ticket but had seen his name in the newspaper as being part of the Seceders convention.
The resolutions committee presented their report, which unanimously carried.
When the convention adjourned sine die, several delegates remained in the room. These delegates passed a resolution condemning the Pierce Administration, then adjourned sine die. A handful of other delegates remained on the floor, but they did not have unity to make any decisions.
Stockton Withdraws
At first, Stockton was enthusiastic about his chances. He was in New York City at the time of the convention, and he may have had a hand in some of the decisions made by his supporters. He officially accepted the nomination on 6/27/1856, at which time he stated that he would be willing to withdraw if Fillmore would agree to some moderate anti-slavery planks [NYT 6/28/1856]. Although Fillmore never accepted the offer, Stockton withdrew from the race on 7/25/1856 [NYT 7/26/1856].
Popular Vote of 1856
Electoral Vote of 1856
[Less...]
19 (100.00%)