Governor James Grimes' Letter to the Citizens of Iowa, February 12, 1856

    Governor James Grimes, a Whig, wrote this open letter in 1856 inviting people to help start the Republican party in Iowa.
    Courtesy of Library of Congress, Grimes, James, "To The Citizens of Iowa," The Daily Gate City, pp. 2, 12 February 1856

    Description

    Iowa Governor James Grimes wrote this brief letter to the "Citizens of Iowa" anonymously. He wrote to urge people to attend a meeting regarding the founding of the Republican Party in Iowa. At the time he wrote this, Grimes was governor and part of the Whig Party. The Whig Party was declining in popularity and power. Grimes became a leader in the Republican Party in Iowa and was elected to the United States Senate in 1859 as a member of that party.

    Transcript of Governor James Grimes' Letter to the Citizens of Iowa

    Printable Excerpt of Governor James Grimes' Letter to the Citizens of Iowa

    Source-Dependent Questions

    • The author of this letter was the governor of Iowa and part of the Whig Party when he wrote it. What can you infer from this letter about the state of the Whig Party in Iowa?
    • When this letter was written, Franklin Pierce, who was a member of the Democratic Party, was president. What do you think Grimes is implying when he says "that the party styling itself the 'Democratic Party,'" are striving to make slavery itself a great national institution?
    • In the 1850s, there were many conflicts around the country centered around the issue of slavery. Based on this letter, where do you think the Republican Party stands on the issue of slavery? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

    Citation Information 

    Grimes, James, "To The Citizens of Iowa," The Daily Gate City, pp. 2, 12 February 1856. Courtesy of Library of Congress

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