It was founded in 1872 to oppose the election of Franklin J. Moses Jr. for Governor of South Carolina after he had been nominated by the Republicans on August 21, 1872.
Former governor James Lawrence Orr denounced the selection of Moses and led the formation of a new party.
The Republicans in opposition to Moses met on August 22, 1872, at the Richland courthouse to select a ticket for the general election.
The delegates warned that the future of the Republican party was at stake if reform was not initiated and corrupt politicians were elected to office.
The Conservative Party of South Carolina expressed its support for the statewide candidates of the Independent Republicans on October 8.