Northern delegates to the Democratic Party convention supported Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois , but the southern Democrats disagreed with his position on slavery .
The pressure of the slavery issue split the Democratic Party convention wide open and led to a presidential election in 1860 with four candidates .
Northern delegates to the Democratic Party convention supported Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois , but the southern Democratic Party disagreed with his position on slavery .
The pressure of the slavery issue split the Democratic Party convention wide open and led to a presidential election in 1860 with four candidates .