The Lincolns in Kentucky -Video

[David Lockmiller]

I was re-reading this morning Doris Kearns Goodwin's first chapter in her book Team of Rivals when I realized just how fortuitous were the circumstances for Lincoln at the time of the Republican Convention being held in Chicago and the previous Illinois state convention having been held in Decatur, Illinois (Lincoln's first hometown in Illinois).

Chapter I, page 1 begins:
On May 18, 1860, the day when the Republican Party would nominate its candidate for president, Abraham Lincoln was up early. . . . The Republicans had chosen to meet in Chicago. A new convention hall called the "Wigwam" had been constructed for the occasion. The first ballot was not due to be called until 10a.m. [Later that day,] Lincoln "learned that his longtime friend James Conkling had returned unexpectedly from the convention the previous evening. (p. 6) [At Conkling's office], Conkling related all he had seen and heard in the previous two days before leaving the Wigwam. Conkling told Lincoln that Seward was in trouble, that he had enemies not only in other states but at home in New York. If Seward was not nominated on the first ballot, Conkling predicted, Lincoln would be the nominee. . . . Lincoln replied that "he hardly thought this could be possible and that in case Mr. Seward was not nominated on the first ballot, it was his judgment that Mr. Chase of Ohio or Mr. Bates of Missouri would be the nominee." Conkling disagreed, citing reasons why each of those two candidates would have difficulty securing the nomination. Assessing the situation with his characteristic clearheadedness, Lincoln could not fail to perceive some truth in what his friend was saying; yet having tasted so many disappointments, he saw no benefit in letting his hopes run wild. "Well, Conkling," he said slowly, "I believe I will go back to my office and practice law." (pages 10- 11.)

Meanwhile, on May 18, in Auburn, New York, pages 11 - 12 read:
William Henry Seward had left Washington three days earlier to repair to his hometown of Auburn, New York, situated in the Finger Lakes Region of the most populous state of the Union, to share the anticipated Republican nomination in the company of family and friends. . . . Midmorning of the day of the nomination, a large cannon was hauled from the Auburn Armory into the park. "The cannoneers were stationed at their posts," the local newspaper reported, "the fire lighted, the ammunition ready, and all waiting for the signal, to make the city and county echo to joyful news" that was expected to unleash the most spectacular celebration the city had ever known. . . . Local restaurants had stocked up with food. Banners were being prepared, flags were set to be raised, and in the basement of the chief hotel, hundreds of bottles of champagne stood ready to be uncorked.

Regarding the importance of the Republican state convention having been held previously in Decatur, Illinois , pages 6 and 9 read:
That [Lincoln] had garnered the support of the Illinois delegation at the state convention at Decatur earlier that month was widely understood to be a "complimentary" gesture. (p. 6) Lincoln's success in the East bolstered his supporters at home. On May 10, the fired-up Republican state convention at Decatur nominated him for president, labeling him "the Rail Candidate for President" after two fence rails he had supposedly split in his youth were ceremoniously carried into the hall. The following week, the powerful Chicago Press and Tribune formally endorsed Lincoln, arguing that his moderate politics represented the thinking of most people, that he would come into the contest "with no clogs, no embarrassment," an "honest man" who represented all the "fundamentals of Republicanism," with "due respect for the rights of the South." (p. 9)

Regarding the Lincoln's strategy for gaining the Republican nomination in Chicago, page 10 reads:
Recognizing that Seward held a commanding lead at the start, followed by Chase and Bates, Lincoln's strategy was to give offense to no one. He wanted to leave the delegates "in a mood to come to us, if they shall be compelled to give up their first love." (A. Lincoln to Sam Galloway, March 24, 1860, in Complete Works, IV, p. 34) This was clearly understood by Lincoln's team in Chicago and by all the delegates whom Judge Davis had commandeered to join the fight. "We are laboring to make you second choice of all the Delegations we can, where we can't make you first choice," Scott County delegate Nathan Knapp told Lincoln when he first arrived in Chicago. . . . Knapp's message was followed by one from Davis himself on the second day of the convention. "Am very hopeful," he warned Lincoln, but "dont be Excited."