[Publius]

“But in the case of the Whig party, it just couldn’t find any way of dealing with the IMMIGRATION issue that would satisfy both its Northern and Southern wings.”

Which is why the American Party, also known as the Know Nothing Party, became a serious player as the 1850s progressed. The decade was marked by new parties that appeared as the Whigs and Democrats both disintegrated.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

IMHO, it’s WELL past time for some fresh blood:

“The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

[rxh4n1]

Which is why the American Party, also known as the Know Nothing Party, became a serious player as the 1850s progressed. The decade was marked by new parties that appeared as the Whigs and Democrats both disintegrated.

Yep, both parties disintegrated, there were the Free Soil Party, anti-Nebraska Democrats, the American Party, the northern Democrats (Douglas), southern Democrats (Yancey and the rest), northern Whigs (Seward, Lincoln), southern Whigs (Bell, Crittenden, Stephens). Then the 4 way race of 1860.