13. The political parties again marshaled their forces. Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire appeared as the candidate of the Democratic party, and General Winfield Scott as the choice of the Whigs. The question at issue before the country was the Compromise Act of 1850. Both the Whig and Democratic platforms stoutly reaffirmed the doctrines of the Omnibus Bill. A third party arose, however, whose members declared that _all_ the Territories of the United States ought to be free. John P. Hale of New Hampshire was put forward as the candidate of this Free Soil party. Mr. Pierce was elected by a large majority, and William R. King of Alabama was chosen Vice-president. CHAPTER XLII. PIERCE'S ADMINISTRATION, 1853-1857. The new chief magistrate was a native of New Hampshire, a graduate of Bowdoin College, and a statesman of considerable abilities. On account of ill health, Mr. King, the Vice-president, was sojourning in Cuba. Growing more feeble, he returned to Alabama, where he died in April, 1853. William L. Marcy of New York was chosen as Secretary of State. [Illustration: Franklin Pierce.] 2. In 1853 a corps of engineers was sent out to explore the route for a PACIFIC RAILROAD. The enterprise was at first regarded as visionary and impossible. In the same year, the southwestern boundary was settled, by purchase of the claim of Mexico. The territory thus acquired is known as the GADSDEN PURCHASE. [Sidenote: =Perry in Japan.=] 3. In the same year intercourse was opened between the United States and Japan. Hitherto the Japanese ports had been closed against the vessels of Christian nations. In order to remove this restriction, Commodore Perry sailed into the Bay of Yeddo, and prepared the way for a treaty, by which the privileges of commerce were granted to American merchantmen. 4. On the very day of Perry's introduction to the Emperor, the Crystal Palace was opened in New York for the WORLD'S FAIR. The palace was built of iron and glass. Specimens of the arts and manufactures of all nations were put on exhibition within the building. [Sidenote: The Kansas-Nebraska Bill.] 5. In January of 1854, Senator Douglas of Illinois brought forward a proposition to organize Kansas and Nebraska. A clause was inserted in the bill providing that the people of the territories _should decide for themselves_ whether the new States should be free or slaveholding. This was a repeal of the Missouri Compromise of 1821. After several months' debate, Mr. Douglas's KANSAS-NEBRASKA BILL, was finally passed. [Sidenote: Disturbances in Kansas.]