Alright, it has always seemed to me that the civil war was partially Buchanan's fault, for one his inactivity in office and pandering to the south in letting them arm up before the war, as well as the fact that he did not run for a second term.
So let's say another Democrat is selected? Who do you think could keep the country together through two elections? It seems that Douglas came close in the nomination process, maybe if Pierce had swung over to him sooner he could have secured it.