Only its key-note was new, but the novelty was of startling import to Northern delegates.
The Northern Democrats, he stated, were losing ground and falling before their victorious adversaries.

Why?
Because they had tampered with, and pandered to, the anti-slavery sentiment.

They had admitted that slavery was wrong.

This was surrendering the very citadel of their argument.

They must re-form their lines and change their tactics.