Iowa was the first State to break solidly.
Pennsylvania turned her vote to Colfax instead of Wade whose friends had confidently counted upon it.

Other changes rapidly followed, until the fifth ballot, as finally announced, showed 541 for Colfax, 38 for Wade, and 69 for Fenton.

The result was received with general and hearty satisfaction, and the Convention adjourned with undoubting faith in a great victory for Grant and Colfax.

General Grant's brief letter of acceptance followed within a week, and its key-note was found in the memorable expression, "Let us have peace!" It was spoken in a way and came from a source which gave it peculiar strength and significance.
The Democratic National Convention of 1868 was invested with remarkable interest, less from any expectation that it would seriously contest and jeopard Republican ascendency, than from the several personal issues which entered into it, and the audacious public policies which would be urged upon it.

The general drift of the party was clear and unmistakable, but its personal choice and the tone of its declarations would determine how bold a stand it would take before the country.
Would it openly proclaim the doctrine of paying the public debt in depreciated paper money, and emphasize its action by nominating Mr.
George H.Pendleton, the most distinct and conspicuous champion of the financial heresy?
Would it attempt a discussion and review of its tendency and designs, and make what would approach a new departure, in appearance if not in fact, by going outside of its own ranks and nominating Chief Justice Chase?
Would the recreancy of President Johnson to his own party and his hope of Democratic support find any considerable response?
And aside from the issue of virtually repudiating the public debt, would the party now re-assert its hostile and revolutionary attitude towards the well-nigh completed work of Reconstruction?
These various possibilities left a degree of uncertainty which surrounded the Convention with an atmosphere of curious expectation.
The movement most deliberately planned and most persistently pressed was that on behalf of Mr.Pendleton.