 It was a moralistic party that appealed to the middle-class fear of corruption—identifying that danger with Catholics, especially the recent Irish immigrants who seemed to bring crime, corruption, poverty and bossism as soon as they arrived.The Republican Party was more driven, in terms of ideology and talent; it surpassed the hapless American Party in 1856.By 1858 the Republicans controlled majorities in every Northern state, and hence controlled the electoral votes for president in 1860.