Pierce endorsed Buchanan , though the two remained distant , and the president attempted to resolve the Kansas situation by November to improve the Democrats ' chances in the general election . Though Governor Geary was able to restore order in Kansas , the electoral damage had already been done — Republicans used " Bleeding Kansas " and " Bleeding Sumner " ( the brutal caning of Charles Sumner ) as election slogans . The Democratic Party 's platform , along with Buchanan 's endorsement of Pierce 's policies , caused many northern Democrats to abandon the party . The Know Nothing National Convention alienated many Northern Know Nothings by nominating former President Fillmore for another term and failing to oppose the Kansas-Nebraska Act . Fillmore also received the presidential nomination at sparsely attended 1856 Whig convention . Fillmore minimized the issue of nativism , instead attempting to use the party as a platform for unionism and a revival of the Whig Party . The 1856 Republican National Convention chose John C. Frémont as the party 's presidential candidate . Though Frémont 's public views were not widely known , Republicans hoped to use Frémont 's military reputation to lead the party to victory in 1856
1856 Republican National Convention
1856 Republican National Convention
Presidency of Franklin Pierce