He is a man of whose friendship one may well be proud.
Even when we have differed and separated most widely, I have always admired his pluck and consistency, and have done full justice to his abilities and energies." The plain indication was that Vallandingham, who had come to the Convention as an earnest friend of Pendleton, was already casting about for an alternative candidate in the event of Pendleton's failure, and was considering the practicability of nominating the Chief Justice.
President Johnson had also aspired to the Democratic candidacy.
Ambitious, untiring, and sanguine, this hope of reward had served him in the bitter quarrel with his own party.

The fate of Tyler and Fillmore had no terrors and no lessons for one who eagerly and blindly sought a position which would at once gratify his ambition and minister to his revenge.

He was using all the powers of the Executive in a vain fight to obstruct and baffle the steadily advancing Republican policy.
The Democrats, instead of following a settled chart of principles, were making the cardinal mistake of supporting him in all his tortuous course of assumptions and usurpations, and it was not strange that he should expect them to turn towards him in choosing a leader to continue the contest.

But it is an old maxim, repeatedly illustrated, that while men are ready to profit by the treason, they instinctively detest the traitor.

Mr.Johnson had embittered the party he had sought to serve.