The personal characteristics of the candidates were lost sight of in the face of the great issues involved.

The people soon perceived that if there was indeed merit in the Compromise measures, it would be wise to intrust them to the keeping of the party that was unreservedly--North and South-- in favor of upholding and enforcing them.

On this point there was absolutely no division in the Democratic ranks.

In New York the friends of Marcy and the political heirs of Wright cordially harmonized in favor of the Compromise.

Mr.Van Buren returned to Tammany Hall as fresh and buoyant as if his allegiance had never been broken; and in a great convocation of the Democracy, the prodigal was welcomed, Pierce's nomination applauded, the platform cheered, the anti-slavery creed forsworn, the Whig party roundly abused, and word sent forth to the uttermost parts of the Union that the Empire State had resumed her place at the head of the Democratic line.
The Whigs soon found to their dismay that the platform and the candidate were inseparable.