Salmon P. Chase 39
disappointed. Yet the relationship
between the resurgent nativist
crusade and Republicanism that evolved
in Ohio was of vital signifi-
cance for the party's future. In the
course of the next few years,
Chase's vision of the nature of the
Republican coalition would essen-
tially be realized. Without losing sight
of sectional issues, Republi-
cans throughout the decade overtly
appealed to nativists for support
and recognized former Americans in
making nominations and distrib-
uting patronage. By the time of
Lincoln's election in 1860, a substan-
tial majority of one-time Know-Nothings
had entered the Republican
ranks, and as a result the party won its
first national triumph. Chase's
victory in Ohio in 1855 blazed a trail
that ultimately led to the crea-
tion of a northern Republican majority.