The South had made continuous assault on this speech, and on the particular phrase which distinguished it, and had impressed many Northern men with the belief that Mr.Seward had gone too far.

In short, he had been too conspicuous, and too many men had conceived predilections against him.
When the convention assembled, notwithstanding all adverse influences, Mr.Seward was still the leading and most formidable candidate.
His case was in strong and skillful hands.

Mr.Thurlow Weed, who had been his lifelong confidential friend, presented his claims, before the formal assembling of the convention, with infinite tact.
Mr.Weed, though unable to make a public speech, was the most persuasive of men in private conversation.

He was quiet, gentle, and deferential in manner.

He grasped a subject with a giant's strength, presented its strong points, and marshaled its details with extraordinary power.