He was still a young man when he was preferred to all the prominent statesmen of his party as a Presidential candidate.

He was remarkably attractive in personal appearance, prepossessing in manner, ready and even eloquent as a public speaker, fluent and graceful in conversation.

He presented thus a rare combination of the qualities which attach friends and win popular support.
The platform of principles enunciated by the convention was just what the South desired and demanded.

The entire interest centred in the slavery question.

Indeed, the declarations upon other issues were not listened to by the delegates, and were scarcely read by the public.