n.
But in rejecting him they lost in large degree the opportunity to
recover the strength and popularity and power of the Democratic
party which had all been forfeited by the maladministration of
Pierce.

NOMINATION OF JAMES BUCHANAN.

With Houston impracticable, other Southern candidates purposely
withheld, and all the Northern candidates in Congress or of the
administration disabled, the necessity of the situation pointed to
one man. The Democratic managers in whose hands the power lay were
not long in descrying him. Mr. Buchanan had gone to England as
minister directly after the inauguration of Pierce. He had been
absent from the country during all the troubles and the blunders
of the Democracy, and never before was an _alibi_ so potential in
acquitting a man of actual or imputed guilt. He had been a candidate
for the Presidency ever since 1844, but had not shown much strength.
He was originally a Federalist. He was somewhat cold in temperament
and austere in manners, but of upright character and blameless
life. He lacked the affability of Cass, the gracious heartiness
of Pierce, the bluff cordiality of Douglas. But he was a man of
ability, and had held high rank as a senator and as secretary of
State. Above all he had never given a vote offensive to the South.
Indeed, his Virginia friend, Henry A. Wise, boasted that his record
was as spotless as that of Calhoun.

Buchanan's hour had come. He was a necessity to the South, a
necessity to his party; and against the combined force of all the
ambitious men who sought the place, he was nominated. But he had
a severe struggle. President Pierce and Senator Douglas each made
a persistent effort. On the first ballot Buchanan received 135
votes, Pierce 122, Douglas 33. Through sixteen ballots the contest
was stubbornly maintained, Buchanan gaining steadily but slowly.
Pierce was at last withdrawn, and the convention gave Buchanan 168,
Douglas 121. No further resistance was made, and, amid acclamation
and rejoicing, Buchanan was declared to be the unanimous choice of
the convention. Major John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky, a young
man of popularity and promise, was nominated for the Vice-
Presidency.

Before the nomination of Buchanan and Breckinridge another Presidential
ticket had been placed in the field. The pro-slavery section of
the American party and the ghastly remnant of the Whigs had presented
Mr. Fil