If the North would not sustain them, it was of infinite moment to the South to be promptly and definitely advised of the fact.

The Southern delegates were not presenting a particular man as candidate.

On that point they would be liberal and conciliatory.

But they were fighting for a principle, and would not surrender it or compromise it.
The supporters of Douglas from the North saw that they would be utterly destroyed at home if they consented to the extreme Southern demand.

Their destruction would be equally sure even with Douglas as their candidate if the platform should announce principles which he had been controverting ever since his revolt against the Lecompton bill.