Details
[LINCOLN, Abraham, ELECTION OF 1860]. KEYES, John S. (1821-1910). Autograph manuscript, journal of the Massachusetts Delegation to the 1860 Republican National Convention, [Chicago, Illinois], 14-18 May 1860]. 8 pages, 4to, minor fold tear, with envelope addressed to Keyes in Concord, Massachusetts labeled "Chicago National Convention." [With:] N.W. Vorhees, Sec. of N.J. Delegation. Memomrandum to Massachusetts Delegation, and a 1-page draft by Keyes of a resolution of thanks to the Wisconsin Delegation.
SEWARD OR LINCOLN?: AN INSIDE GLIMPSE OF THE POLITICAL MANOEVERING AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 1860
A revealing unpublished record, by Keyes, of the daily meetings, discussions and political manuevering that embroiled the Massachusetts delegation to the Republican Convention which chose Lincoln as the Republican presidential nominee. Uncertainty marked the Chicago meeting of the young Republican Party in May of 1860, but the clear front-runners for the presidential nomination were William Seward, Edward Bates and Salmon P. Chase. Lincoln's name would also become well-known to the delegates as the Illinois lawyer's friends and supporters, led by the shrewd and energetic Norman B. Judd, worked diligently on his behalf.
Entitled "Meeting of the Mass. Delegates," Keyes's writings constitute his personal daily journal of the delegation's activities. From it, we learn that the delegation spent the first day choosing their chairman and officers and discussing format and procedure. On day two, marked in the journal "Tuesday 8 P.M." [May 15], the characteristic negotiations, discussions and compromises that marked pre-primary election politics become apparent. As a way of determining the strength and viability of the competing candidates, the Massachusetts delegates decided to poll the delegations of other states: "On motion of Mr. Kellogg it was voted that in answer to the Communications of the Delegations of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana and Illinois be respectfully requested to send to the Massachusetts Delegation the names of three candidates the first, second and third choice of their Delegations with whom they can carry their states respectively, ascertained by votes of their Delegations and reported to us in an authentic form." The choice of these states was strategic: the Republicans had lost Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania in 1856. In 1860, these were considered pivotal states that Seward could not win because of what many considered to be his radical views.
On Wednesday [May 16], replies to these informal polls are noted; "Judge [John] Logan of Illinois [Lincoln's friend], presented the reply of the Illinois Delegation," "The Pennsylvania Delegation report Sen. Cameron, Judge McLean, and Abram [sic] Lincoln as 1st, 2nd, & 3rd." The New Jersey Delegation's cautious reply, signed by N.W. Voorhees, is present: "William L. Dayton is the first choice of New Jersey...they can carry the State with him...the Delegation are not prepared at the present time to state what their second and third choice of Candidates may be." At Thursday's meeting [May 17], the Massachusetts delegates took several polls to determine their own nominee for president. In Keyes' entry for 9 AM Friday [May 18], is a tally of all the delegates from each state and a carefully phrased public statement in justification of their first-ballot choice of Seward: "I go for Mr Seward because 1. He is the strongest man. He will make the biggest fight. He will make the best President, He will meet the least opposition The fight will be on his principles. He will lead it best."
Although Seward led in the first ballot, Lincoln ran a strong second and votes began to drift in his direction. On the third ballot, after fevered discussions and negotiations on the convention floor, the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln as their candidate for President. (5)
SEWARD OR LINCOLN?: AN INSIDE GLIMPSE OF THE POLITICAL MANOEVERING AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 1860
A revealing unpublished record, by Keyes, of the daily meetings, discussions and political manuevering that embroiled the Massachusetts delegation to the Republican Convention which chose Lincoln as the Republican presidential nominee. Uncertainty marked the Chicago meeting of the young Republican Party in May of 1860, but the clear front-runners for the presidential nomination were William Seward, Edward Bates and Salmon P. Chase. Lincoln's name would also become well-known to the delegates as the Illinois lawyer's friends and supporters, led by the shrewd and energetic Norman B. Judd, worked diligently on his behalf.
Entitled "Meeting of the Mass. Delegates," Keyes's writings constitute his personal daily journal of the delegation's activities. From it, we learn that the delegation spent the first day choosing their chairman and officers and discussing format and procedure. On day two, marked in the journal "Tuesday 8 P.M." [May 15], the characteristic negotiations, discussions and compromises that marked pre-primary election politics become apparent. As a way of determining the strength and viability of the competing candidates, the Massachusetts delegates decided to poll the delegations of other states: "On motion of Mr. Kellogg it was voted that in answer to the Communications of the Delegations of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana and Illinois be respectfully requested to send to the Massachusetts Delegation the names of three candidates the first, second and third choice of their Delegations with whom they can carry their states respectively, ascertained by votes of their Delegations and reported to us in an authentic form." The choice of these states was strategic: the Republicans had lost Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania in 1856. In 1860, these were considered pivotal states that Seward could not win because of what many considered to be his radical views.
On Wednesday [May 16], replies to these informal polls are noted; "Judge [John] Logan of Illinois [Lincoln's friend], presented the reply of the Illinois Delegation," "The Pennsylvania Delegation report Sen. Cameron, Judge McLean, and Abram [sic] Lincoln as 1
Although Seward led in the first ballot, Lincoln ran a strong second and votes began to drift in his direction. On the third ballot, after fevered discussions and negotiations on the convention floor, the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln as their candidate for President. (5)