The Whig Party over time collapsed over internal disputes, unable to reconcile between the Northern abolitionists and Southern pro-slavery forces. Along with a small number of Jacksonian Democrats who opposed slavery in addition to the [[populist]], anti-immigration "Know Nothing" movement, they were sought out by Colfax to form the new Republican Party.<ref name=ussenatebio/> Colfax himself shared some viewpoints of the Know Nothings in resenting Catholic immigrants, who at the time often attacked other minorities ruthlessly. | The Whig Party over time collapsed over internal disputes, unable to reconcile between the Northern abolitionists and Southern pro-slavery forces. Along with a small number of Jacksonian Democrats who opposed slavery in addition to the [[populist]], anti-immigration "Know Nothing" movement, they were sought out by Colfax to form the new Republican Party.<ref name=ussenatebio/> Colfax himself shared some viewpoints of the Know Nothings in resenting Catholic immigrants, who at the time often attacked other minorities ruthlessly. |