The lines upon which the Charleston convention would divide, were sharply drawn by a series of resolutions presented to the Senate by Jefferson Davis.  They were intended to serve as an ultimatum, and they were so understood by Northern Democrats.  They were deliberately wrought out in conference as the final expression of Southern conviction.  In explicit language the right of either Congress or a territorial legislature to impair the constitutional right of property in slaves, was denied.  In case of unfriendly legislation, it was declared to be the duty of Congress to provide adequate protection to slave property.  Popular sovereignty was completely discarded by the assertion that the people of a Territory might pass upon the question of slavery only when they formed a State constitution.[817]

As the delegates to the Democratic convention began to gather in the latter part of April, the center of political interest shifted from Washington to Charleston.  Here the battle between the factions was to be fought out, but without the presence of the real leaders.  The advantages of organization were with the Douglas men.  The delegations from the Northwest were devoted, heart and soul, to their chief.  As they passed through the capital on their journey to the South, they gathered around him with noisy demonstrations of affection; and when they continued on their way, they were more determined than ever to secure his nomination.[818] From the South, too, every Douglas man who was likely to carry weight in his community, was brought to Charleston to labor among the Ultras of his section.[819] The Douglas headquarters in Hibernian Hall bore witness to the business-like way in which his candidacy was being promoted.  Not the least striking feature within the committee rooms was the ample supply of Sheahan’s Life of Stephen A. Douglas, fresh from the press.[820]

Recognized leader of the Douglas forces was Colonel Richardson of Illinois, a veteran in convention warfare, seasoned by years of congressional service and by long practice in managing men.[821] It was he who had led the Douglas cohorts in the Cincinnati convention.  The memory of that defeat still rankled, and he was not disposed to yield to like contingencies.  Indeed, the spirit of the delegates from the Northwest,—­and they seemed likely to carry the other Northern delegates with them,—­was offensively aggressive; and their demonstrations of enthusiasm assumed a minatory aspect, as they learned of the presence of Slidell, Bigler, and Bright, and witnessed the efforts of the administration to defeat the hero of the Lecompton fight.[822]

Those who observed the proceedings of the convention could not rid themselves of the impression that opposing parties were wrestling for control, so bitter and menacing was the interchange of opinion.  It was matter of common report that the Southern delegations would withdraw if Douglas were nominated.[823] Equally ominous was the rumor that Richardson was authorized to withdraw the name of Douglas, if the platform adopted should advocate the protection of slavery in the Territories.[824] The temper of the convention was such as to preclude an amicable agreement, even if Douglas withdrew.