But many of them came reluctantly, and in a complaining mood against Mr.Seward.

This led political managers to fear that Mr.Seward would lose votes which another candidate might secure.

Others though that the radicalism of Mr.Seward would make him weak, where a more conservative representative of Republican principles might be strong.

He had been at the forefront of the battle for twelve years in the Senate, and every extreme thing he had said was remembered to his injury.

He had preached the doctrine of an "irrepressible conflict" between the forces of slavery and the forces of freedom, and timid men dreaded such a trial as his nomination would presage.