1852 Democratic Convention

[Schmitz in 1972]

It is the 1850s and America is beginning to grow farther apart. The winner of this primary goes on to win the general election and oversees bleeding Kansas, the caning of Charles Sumner, and futher erosion of the fabric holding the union together. These are all the candidates from that year, as a delegate do you vote for

Franklin Pierce - The nominee in real life who was a compromise choice, a strict constructionalist, and a man who believed the slavery issue had already been settled. He also had a winning, personality and a fair military record from the Mexican War

William Marcy - The eventual secretary of state who belonged to the "soft shell" faction of the Democratic party which favored reconciliation with the Van Buren faction which had seceeded in the 1848 election. He also had extensive public service that dated to the days of Andrew Jackson

Stephen Douglas - The young candidate who had played a major role in the passing of the 1850 compromise and would go on to do the same for the Kansas Nebraska act. Also one of the younger, more captivating candidates

James Buchanan - The old diplomat  and foreign minister who would go on to be president in 1856 and would help write the ill-fated Ostend Manifesto. Also one of the older party members who was a champion of party loyalty.

Lewis Cass - The loser of the 1848 election and the choice of the "Hunkers" (mainstream Democrats who wanted to get party leaders elected by ignoring the slavery issue). Also nearly seventy years old and a supporter of popular sovereignty

Sam Houston - The old Texan who despite being one of the few southern candidates, had most of his credibility among the south gone because of a possible association with the Free Soilers. Also yet another fairly old candidate along with Marcy, Buchanan, and Cass

William Butler - The Vice President on the 1848 ticket and a compromise candidate at the convention who destroyed much of his support by supporting the right of slaveholders to carry slaves into all US territories.