He thought the South would, as it could, nominate and elect him President.
Personally he was a most lovable man--rather too convivial--and for a while in 1852 it looked as though he might be the Democratic nominee.
His candidacy was premature, his backers overconfident and indiscreet.
"I like Douglas and am for him," said Buck Stone, a member of Congress and delegate to the National Democratic Convention from Kentucky, "though I consider him a good deal of a damn fool." Pressed for a reason he continued; "Why, think of a man wanting to be President at forty years of age, and obliged to behave himself for the rest of his life! I wouldn't take the job on any such terms." The proposed repeal of the Missouri Compromise opened up the slavery debate anew and gave it increased vitality.

Hell literally broke loose among the political elements.

The issues which had divided Whigs and Democrats went to the rear, while this one paramount issue took possession of the stage.

It was welcomed by the extremists of both sections, a very godsend to the beaten politicians led by Mr.Seward.
Rampant sectionalism was at first kept a little in the background.

There were on either side concealments and reserves.