The Republican National Convention of 1860 met in Chicago, May 16, in
an immense building called the “Wigwam.” The leading candidates for
President were William H. Seward of New York and Abraham Lincoln of
Illinois. Among others spoken of were Salmon P. Chase of Ohio and Simon
Cameron of Pennsylvania.
On the first ballot for President, Mr. Seward received one hundred
and seventy-three and one-half votes; Mr. Lincoln, one hundred and two
votes, the others scattering. On the first ballot, Vermont had divided
her vote, but on the second the chairman of the Vermont delegation
announced: “Vermont casts her ten votes for the young giant of the
West--Abraham Lincoln.”
This was the turning point in the convention toward Mr. Lincoln’s
nomination. The second ballot resulted: Seward, one hundred and
eighty-four and one-half; Lincoln, one hundred and eighty-one. On the
third ballot, Mr. Lincoln received two hundred and thirty votes. One and
one-half votes more would nominate him. Before the ballot was announced,
Ohio made a change of four votes in favor of Mr. Lincoln, making him the
nominee for President.
Other states tried to follow Ohio’s example, but it was a long time
before any of the delegates could make themselves heard. Cannons planted
on top of the wigwam were roaring and booming; the large crowd in the
wigwam and the immense throng outside were cheering at the top of their
lungs, while bands were playing victorious airs.
When order had been restored, it was announced that on the third ballot
Abraham Lincoln of Illinois had received three hundred and fifty-four
votes and was nominated by the Republican party to the office of
President of the United States.
Mr. Lincoln heard the news of his nomination while sitting in a
newspaper office in Springfield, and hurried home to tell his wife.
As Mr. Lincoln had predicted, Judge Douglas’ position on slavery in the
territories lost him the support of the South, and when the Democratic
convention met at Charleston, the slave-holding states forced the
nomination of John C. Breckinridge. A considerable number of people who
did not agree with either party nominated John Bell of Tennessee.
In the election which followed, Mr. Lincoln carried all of the free
states, except New Jersey, which was divided between himself and
Douglas; Breckinridge carried all the slave states, except Kentucky,
Tennessee and Virginia, which went for Bell, and Missouri gave its vote
to Douglas.