At the first Democratic Party convention of 1860, fifty Southern delegates

refused to vote and left the convention.
voted to secede from the Union.
nominated their own candidate.
decided to become Republicans.

1 answer

At the first Democratic Party convention of 1860, fifty Southern delegates refused to vote and left the convention. This was primarily due to disagreements over the party platform, particularly regarding the issue of slavery, which led to a divisive atmosphere within the party and ultimately contributed to the split that occurred later that year.