as democrats convened in baltimore in june 1852, four major candidates vied for the nomination- lewis cass of michigan, the nominee in 1848, who had the backing of northerners in support of the compromise of 1850; james buchanan of pennsylvania, popular in the south as well as in his home state; stephen a. douglas of illinois, candidate of the expansionists and the railroad interests; and william l. marcy of new york, whose strength was centered in his home state. throughout the balloting, numerous favorite son candidates received a few votes.