1856 FIRST REPUBLICAN ELECTION. 14 Year Old "Speech" on Buchanan, Ni**er Worshippers, &c.

A fascinating speech delivered just 17 days after the 1856 election, which featured the first ever Republican candidate for President, John C. Fremont, against James Buchanan. It was written by a young Charles Ewart Merritt, later Union Quarter Master during the Civil War under William Henry Harrison. At the time of the "speech," probably delivered to a group of friends, just 14 years of age and apparently considering himself quite the wit. 

The nickname "Grand Buck" for Buchanan is unusual; he was more often known as "Old Buck." 

An exceptional item commenting on the first Republican election, Michigan and Wisconsin politics, the influence of the abolitionist movement on the Republican Party, etc., 

Charles Ewart Merritt [1842-1912] enlisted [19] as a Private on August 14, 1862. He was mustered with Company H. of the 79th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on August 23, 1862. He was promoted to Corporal on March 9, 1863, and to Quarter Master Sergeant and transferred to Field & Staff on February 10, 1865.

His service was notable for its bravery in Courage during the historic March of Sherman from "Atlanta to the Sea." He also served for three years under and was promoted by the command of General, later President, Harrison. 

After the War, he studied law at Ohio Wesleyan University and practiced as an attorney of some reputation for more than 40 years. He moved his practice to Mount Holly, New Jersey after only two years in Ohio. He there served in many local governmental positions and as editor of The Mirror for four years. 

In full:

The Election

The election is now over and the Grand Buck will preside over the destinies of this nation. The little bucks are crowing over the nigger worshippers (as they call them) because they have elected the Grand Buck as President.

The Grand Buck of Michigan, familiarly known as, "the Great Michigander," has been elected to stay out of the Senate, though some think maybe he will be a Minister Plenipotentiary, or if not that, one of the Grand Buck's Cabinet. Mr. Dodge of Wisconsin (I reckon he dodged out because he was a Nebraska Bill man) has also been elected to stay at home, showing that the nigger worshippers have done something (even) if they have not elected their President. The Buchaniers (I don't believe they are Democrats) say that the mighty Republican Party will go to nothing, while the Republicans say they'll beat them next time.

It is talked of electing Mr. Fremont, Senator from New York, in place of Mr. Fish [fished out of the Senate for the same reason that Mr. Dodge dodged out I guess), but for my part, I think he had better climb that peak again, and then the Republicans will elect him. 

I don't know whether or not this Merritted [merited] reading or not, but I was too funny to write anything else."

Read on Friday, November 21, 1856 by C[harles] Ewan Merritt.