Rival Candidates—Great Enthusiasm—Lincoln's Temperance Principles Exemplified—Other Nominations—A Great Campaign—Lincoln's Letter to David Turnham—Lincoln's Election—Secession—Lincoln Inaugurated—Douglas.
Abraham Lincoln was nominated as the Republican candidate for President of the United States, at Chicago, Illinois, May 18, 1860. Salmon P. Chase, William H. Seward, Simon Cameron, William L. Dayton, and Edward Bates were the opposing candidates for the nomination. Mr. Lincoln was nominated on the third ballot. The nomination was afterward made unanimous. The nomination was made amid great applause. It has been said that the scene baffled all human description. Mr. Lincoln was the second Republican candidate for the Presidency, General John C. Fremont being the first, who was nominated in 1856.
Mr. Lincoln was at his home in Springfield, Illinois, when he was nominated. His strong temperance principles were again exemplified when the committee formally notified him of his nomination. Some of his Springfield friends, knowing that he did not keep or use liquors, thought he would have nothing of the kind on hands to refresh the committee, and offered to furnish what was needed. Mr. Lincoln thanked them for their offer, and said, "Gentlemen, I cannot allow you to do what I will not do myself."
After the committee had notified him of his nomination, and he had responded, accepting the nomination, he said that, as an appropriate conclusion to an interview so important and interesting as that which had transpired, he supposed good manners would require that he should treat the committee with something to drink. Soon a servant entered bearing a large waiter containing several glasses, and a large pitcher in the midst, and placed it on the center-table. Mr. Lincoln arose and, gravely addressing the company, said: "Gentlemen, we must pledge our mutual healths in the most healthy beverage which God has given to man. It is the only beverage I have ever used or allowed in my family, and I cannot conscientiously depart from it on the present occasion—it is pure Adam's ale from the spring." And, taking a glass, he touched it to his lips, and pledged them his highest respects in a cup of cold water.
The Democratic party was divided. The Northern Democrats nominated Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln's old political rival. The Southern Democrats nominated John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky. A third party, called the "Union party," nominated John Bell, of Tennessee. The campaign that followed was a remarkable one. "The magic words, 'Old Abe' and 'Honest Old Abe,' were on thousands of banners."
During the campaign, Mr. Lincoln wrote a letter to his old friend, David Turnham, the constable of Spencer County, Indiana, from whom he borrowed the "Revised Statutes of Indiana," mentioned in Chapter III. This letter is now given to the general public for the first time:
"Springfield, Ills., Oct. 23, 1860.
"David Turnham, Esq.,
"My dear old Friend: Your kind letter of the 17th is received. I am indeed very glad to hear you are still living and well. I well remember when you and I last met, after a separation of fourteen years, at the Cross Road voting place, in the fall of 1844. It is now sixteen years more, and we are both no longer young men.
"I suppose you are a grandfather, and I, though married much later in life, have a son nearly grown.