Both the old parties held their national conventions as usual, in 1852, with every State represented in both by full delegations.

There were peculiar troubles in each.

In the Democratic convention the dissensions had been in large part inherited, and had reference more to persons than to principles, more to the candidate than to the platform.
While something of the same trouble was visible in the Whig ranks, the chief source of contention and of party weakness was found in the irreconcilable difference of principle between all the Southern Whigs and a large number of the Northern Whigs.

In the South they were unanimous in support of the Compromise.

In the North they were divided.
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.
The Democratic National Convention met in Baltimore on the first day of June, 1852.