But the great body of Whigs both in the South and in the North did not lose hope of a strong re-organization of their old party until the destruction of the Missouri Compromise had been effected.

That was seen and felt by all to be the end.
Thenceforward new alliances were rapidly formed.

In the South those Whigs who, though still unwilling to profess an anti-slavery creed, would not unite with the Democrats, were re-organized under the name of the American party, with Humphrey Marshall, Henry Winter Davis, Horace Maynard, and men of that class, for leaders.

This party was founded on proscription of foreigners, and with special hostility to the Roman-Catholic Church.

It had a fitful and feverish success, and in 1845-5, under the name of _Know-Nothings_, enrolled tens of thousands in secret lodges.