The Southern delegates with California and Oregon, and with some scattering members from other States, among whom were Caleb Cushing and Benjamin F.Butler of Massachusetts, nominated John C.Breckinridge of Kentucky for President, and Joseph Lane of Oregon for Vice-President.

The Northern convention, with a few scattering votes from the South, nominated Stephen A.Douglas for President, and Herschel V.Johnson of Georgia for Vice-President.

Of the seventeen States that made up the Breckinridge convention, it was deemed probable that he could carry all.

Of the sixteen that voted for Douglas, it was difficult to name one in which with a divided party he could be sure of victory.

United in support of either candidate, the party could have made a formidable contest, stronger in the North with Douglas, stronger in the South with Breckinridge.