The Constitutional Union Party (also known as the "Bell-Everett Party" in California) was a political party in the United States created in 1860. It was made up of conservative former Whigs who wanted to avoid secessionism over the slavery issue. These former Whigs (some of whom had been under the banner of the Opposition Party in 1854–58) teamed up with former Know-Nothings and a few Southern Democrats who were against secessionism to form the Constitutional Union Party. Its name comes from its extremely simple platform, a simple resolution "to recognize no political principle other than the Constitution of the country, the Union of the states, and the Enforcement of the Laws". They hoped that by failing to take a firm stand either for or against slavery or its expansion, the issue could be pushed aside.