1848Pressured into a war he did not want by a Congress calling for blood, President Napoleon (D-NY) nonetheless carried out the Mexican War with the utmost vigor, seeing the eventual collapse of Mexican resistance by 1848 and strongly backing the proposal of Congressman TNF (the so called 'TNF Proviso' to ban slavery in the territories). This of course would lead to strong contention at the Democratic National Convention of that year, in which Napoleon would be renominated for President only after making significant concessions to the party's pro-slavery wing, selecting railroad ally and Mexican War general Goldwater as his running mate, as well as denouncing the TNF proviso.
This sends anti-slavery Democrats, allied with the various Working Men's parties at the state and local levels, and abolitionist and other land reform groups, into a frenzy. They hastily form the Free Labor Party and nominate Congressman TNF of Kentucky for the Presidency and former Congressman butafly of Illinois, a noted feminist and supporter of women's rights, for the Vice Presidency. The radical Free Labor ticket calls for a ban on slavery in the territories, full voting rights for women, and the right of laborers to organize. It also calls for the enactment of a 10 hour day law.
The Whigs, laughing all the way to the bank with Democratic disarray, nominate Cathcon, a Roman Catholic (there's a first!) and general involved in the destruction of Mexico during the Mexican War. Cathcon's running mate, Senator shua of Virginia, is selected to balance out the ticket and bring Southern slaveholders into line with the Whig Party, which preaches national unity over sectional interests, as well as opposes the drive to enact a 10 hour day.
The American Republican Party, a minor association of native born opponents of alcoholism, immigration, and catholicism, nominates for President former Senator Antonio V and Congressman Windjammer. They do best among native born workers concerned with the growing number of immigrants making their way to American shores and the influence they have over the Democratic Party.
President Napoleon of New York and General Goldwater of Delaware (Democratic Party): 60 Electoral VotesGeneral Cathcon of Michigan and Senator Shua of Virginia (Whig Party): 124 Electoral VotesCongressman TNF of Kentucky and former Congressman butafly of Illinois (Free Labor Party): 102 Electoral VotesFormer Senator Antonio V of Maine and Congressman Windjammer of Rhode Island (American Republican Party): 4 Electoral VotesWith no overall majority, the election is thrown to the House, which has a Whig majority. Although a substantive number of Whigs and Democrats vote for the Free Labor ticket, Cathcon is overwhelmingly elected by the combined efforts of so-called 'nationalist' Congressmen, attacking the candidacy of TNF as a 'sectional affair'. The Senate elects Shua Vice President without much contention, as well.
