Differing widely on many other questions, inheriting their creeds from antagonistic organizations of the past, they thought alike on the one subject of putting a stop to the extension of slavery.

Those who wished to go farther were restrained, and an absolute control of opinion and action was commanded on this one line.

In the entire history of party conventions, not one can be found so characteristic, so earnest, so determined to do the wisest thing, so little governed by personal consideration, so entirely devoted to one absorbing idea.

It was made up in great part of young men, though there were gray-haired veterans in sufficient number to temper action with discretion.

A large proportion of the delegates were afterwards prominent in public life.