A considerable number of respectable officers responded to the summons; but relatively the demonstration was weak, ineffective and in the end hurtful to the Administration.

The venerable General Wool of the regular army, the oldest major-general in the United States at the time, was made president of the convention and his selection was significant of the proceedings.

He had been all his life a solider and nothing but a soldier.

He was a major of infantry in the war of 1812 and had been in continuous service thereafter.

He denounced the Abolitionists after the manner that had been the custom in the regular army prior to the war.