Republican, a party name in American politics, which has had at different times different significations. In the first years of the Republic it was the alternative title of the Anti-federalists, who advocated the sovereignty of the states and the rights of the people, and finally secured those amendments and additions to the Constitution which were intended to guarantee state rights, and which declared that all powers not expressly granted to congress by the Constitution are retained by the states or the people. Before the war of 1812, however, the term Democrats (q.v.) had been substituted as the title of the party; and the name of Republicans went out of use until 1856, when it was taken up by the new party which was organised to oppose the Democrats, its original holders. This party was formed to combat the extension of slavery; it appealed to all who were opposed to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise (see MISSOURI) and the efforts to make Kansas a slave state (see KANSAS). It grew out of the Free-soil party (see FREE-SOILERS), and at once took the place, as opponents of the Democrats, that the Whig party, which had died of over compromise, had for some time feebly held. In 1856 it nominated Frémont for the presidency, and made a good fight. The decision in the Dred Scott Case (q.v.) and the progress of events in Kansas greatly strengthened the party, and after the divisions among the Democrats over the same question in 1860 the success of the Republicans was assured. Electing Lincoln in that year, they held office continuously from 1861 to 1885, the Republican presidents being Lincoln, Johnson, Grant (twice), Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur; and in 1888 they were again successful, electing Benjamin Harrison. The conduct of the civil war was in the hands of the Republican party, although, of course, northern Democrats formed a large proportion of the Union armies. For its history, see UNITED STATES; and see also SLAVERY. The strength of the party is in the north and west. Republicans claim great credit for their management of the finances of the nation, which brought about the resumption of specie payment. The slavery question has passed into history, and, although the actual enfranchisement of the southern negroes may demand the attention of the party, the principal opposition between Republicans and Democrats now is on the question of tariff, the former being strong protectionists, the latter advocating tariff revision and the placing of some articles on the free list.
See The Republican Party, edited by J. D. Long (New York, 1892).