The division of the Democratic party would be still more ominous.

The possibility of such an event showed how deeply the slavery question had affected all ranks,--social, religious, and political.

It showed, too, how the spirit of Calhoun now inspired the party in whose councils the slightest word of Jackson had once been law.

This change, beginning with the defeat of Van Buren in 1844, was at first slow; but it had afterwards moved so rapidly and so far, that men in the North, who wished to remain in the ranks of the Democracy, were compelled to trample on the principles, and surrender the prejudices, of a lifetime.
Efforts to harmonize proved futile.

In Congress the breach was continually widening.
FACTIONS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
The situation was cause of solicitude, and even grief, with thousands to whom the old party was peculiarly endeared.