A meeting of prominent Louisiana Democrats in Donaldsonville condemned the Louisiana delegates who had left the Charleston Convention the previous month, named new delegates for Baltimore, and endorsed Stephen Douglas for president.  These so-called "New Line" Democrats pledged to maintain party discipline and support the party's nominee.  Two days earlier, the more radical wing of the party had met in Baton Rouge and nominated its own slate of delegates.  (By John Osborne)

The Democratic National Convention in Baltimore had nominated Senator Benjamin Fitzpatrick of Alabama as vice-presidential running mate to Stephen Douglas.  Invited formally to take up the nomination, Fitzpatrick the same day declined the honor in a formal letter to the party, citing his desire not to further split the Democratic Party that he saw as the only hope of avoiding disunion.  Later that day, Hershel V. Johnson of Georgia was nominated in his place and accepted. (By John Osborne)

The depleted Democratic National Convention in Baltimore had nominated Stephen Douglas for president after just two ballots.  From Washington DC, Douglas gave his formal acceptance by letter pointing out the extreme dangers the nation faced and vowing to campaign against federal interference, for the maintaining of the Constitution, and the prevention of a split in the Union. (By John Osborne)

On its sixth and final day, the Democratic Convention in Baltimore reached a crucial juncture.  More than 140 members from southern states had withdrawn over the credentials fight and arguments over the protection of slavery.  The depleted convention then moved to the selection of its candidates for the national ticket and Stephen Douglas of Illinois was nominated on the second ballot with Benjamin Fitzpatrick as his running mate. (By John Osborne)

The reconvened Democratic National Convention continued in Baltimore locked in a debate over credentials.  Seven states which had bolted the Convention in Charleston in May were requesting recognition, some with competing delegations.  The debate on participation continued over several days and led ultimately to an even larger defection of Southern representatives who left to hold their own convention.  (By John Osborne)

The reconvened Democratic National Convention entered its second day at the Front Street Theater locked in a heated debate over credentials.  Seven states which had bolted the Convention in Charleston in May were requesting recognition, some with competing delegations.  The debate on participation continued over several days and led ultimately to an even larger defection of Southern representatives who left to hold their own convention.  (By John Osborne)

The Democratic National Convention reconvened at the Front Street Theater in the morning with Caleb Cushing of Massachusetts continuing in the chair.  When the roll was called it did not include representatives from the seven states which had bolted the Convention in Charleston in May.  An heated debate on participation ensued over several days that ultimately led to an even larger defection of Southern representatives who left to hold their own convention.  (By John Osborne)

The first issue of Pennsylvania newsman Alexander Cummings' new daily New York World appeared on the streets of the city.  Cummings had previously founded the Evening Bulletin in Philadelphia.  Cummings was a Republican but when in 1862 he sold the World to a Democratic consortium, the publication became famous for its attacks on the Lincoln Administration during the Civil War.  The paper ceased publication in 1931.  (By John Osborne)