<h3>Because of Douglas's political stature, the campaign attracted national attention. Its outcome, it was thought, would determine the ability of the Democratic party to maintain unity in the face of the divisive sectional and slavery issues, and some were convinced it would determine the viability of the Union itself.</h3><h2><u>please</u><u> </u><u>mark</u><u> </u><u>in</u><u> </u><u>brain</u><u> </u><u>list</u><u> </u></h2>