The sentimental, the fantastic and the paradoxical in human nature had to do with this.
At the South an ebullition of pleased surprise grew into positive enthusiasm.

Peace was the need if not the longing of the Southern heart, and Greeley's had been the first hand stretched out to the South from the enemy's camp--very bravely, too, for he had signed the bail bond of Jefferson Davis--and quick upon the news flashed the response from generous men eager for the chance to pay something upon a recognized debt of gratitude.
Except for this spontaneous uprising, which continued unabated in July, the Democratic Party could not have been induced at Baltimore to ratify the proceedings at Cincinnati and formally to make Greeley its candidate.

The leaders dared not resist it.

Some of them halted, a few held out, but by midsummer the great body of them came to the front to head the procession.
He was a queer old man; a very medley of contradictions; shrewd and simple; credulous and penetrating; a master penman of the school of Swift and Cobbett; even in his odd picturesque personality whimsically attractive; a man to be reckoned with where he chose to put his powers forth, as Seward learned to his cost.
What he would have done with the Presidency had he reached it is not easy to say or surmise.

He was altogether unsuited for official life, for which nevertheless he had a passion.