Political Life Case C
Republicans Ascendant
The political crisis of the 1850s culminated in the election of 1860. After two national conventions, the Democrats split their ballot between “moderate” candidate Stephen A. Douglas and pro-slavery candidate John C. Breckinridge. The Whig Party, on the other hand, had collapsed and the Republican Party—led by Abraham Lincoln—rose as the new opposition to the Democrats.
These two objects speak to the emergent Republican Party and Lincoln’s eventual election. The smaller piece is David Davis’s ticket to the party’s 1860 national convention in Chicago on May 16-18. There, Lincoln allies like Davis successfully maneuvered for their dark horse candidate to win the nomination. The letter is from July and captures candidate Lincoln considering his chances for victory in November. Echoing the sentiments of President Buchanan’s letter to your far left, Lincoln correctly predicts the Democratic split will pave his way to Washington.
Letter gift of Karl Meyer, 1952
Republican Convention Ticket gift of the Heirs of David Davis III, 1984
MS-BC153 – David Davis Family Papers – 1860 convention ticket
MS-1860.07.04 – AL to Henry on victory at Chicago and likelihood of winning against split Democratic ticket
AV-LP1699 – Drawing of Chicago Convention
Label Audio
Abraham Lincoln to Anson G. Henry, 4 July 1860
Springfield, Ills. July 4. 1860
My dear Doctor :
Your very agreeable letter of May 15th was received three days ago– We are just now receiving the first sprinkling of your Oregon election returns—not enough, I think, to indicate the result– We should be too happy if both Logan and Baker should triumph–
Long before this you have learned who was nominated at Chicago– We know not what a day may bring forth; but, to-day, it looks as if the Chicago ticket will be elected– I think the chances were more than equal that we could have beaten the Democracy united– Divided, as it is, it's chance appears indeed very slim– But great is Democracy in resources; and it may yet give it's fortunes a turn–
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It is under great temptation to do something; but what can it do which was not thought of, ^and^ found impracticable, at Charleston and Baltimore^?^– The signs now are that Douglas and Breckenridge will each have a ticket in every state– They are driven to this to keep up their bombastic claims of nationality, and to avoid the charge of sectionalism which they have so much lavished upon us–
It is an amusing fact, after all Douglas has said about nationality, and sectionalism, that I had more votes from the Southern section at Chicago, than he had at Baltimore.! In fact, there was more of the Southern section represented at Chicago, than in ^the^ Douglas rump concern at Baltimore!!
Our boy, in his tenth year, (the baby when you left) has just had a hard and tedious spell of scarlet-fever; and he is not yet beyond all danger– I have a head-ache, and a sour sore throat
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upon me now, inducing me to suspect that I have an inferior type of the same thing –
Our eldest boy, Bob, has been away from us nearly a year at school, and will enter Harvard University this month– He promises very well, considering we never controlled him much–
Write again when you receive this– Mary joins in sending our kindest regards to Mrs H. yourself, and all the family–
Your friend, as ever
A. Lincoln-
Letter Audio