You all know the Republican Party had a good showing in 1856

大家都知道共和党在1856年表现良好
and nearly won, its first time out.

几乎让他们第一次参选即赢得大选
Now what will this Republican Party be by 1860?

那么共和党在1860年会有何表现呢
How will it threaten the South?

它会怎样威胁到南方呢
Will it threaten the South?

它会不会威胁到南方呢
John Brown's raid on Harpers ferry and his execution

约翰·布朗突袭哈普斯渡口并被处决
were a template,

使他成为一个政治样板
all into that next spring

在这之后直到第二年的春天
as the American political culture held its conventions

当时美国正在举行全国的党内代表会议
and nominated candidates and prepared for an election

推选总统候选人准备大选
that now people said might decide

人们都在怀疑
whether the Union would hold together or not.

联邦是否会分裂