Election of 1860 Notes

Election of 1860

  • The election featured Abraham Lincoln (Republican), Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrat), John Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Unionist).

Democratic National Convention

  • The Democratic National Convention was held in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • Stephen Douglas was the front-runner.
  • The convention voted to uphold the Two-Thirds Rule for presidential nomination, by only 50%.
  • Douglas led with 145.5 votes but fell short of the two-thirds needed for nomination.
  • 51 of the 304 delegates walked out.
  • 57 inconclusive ballots occurred at Charleston.
  • Douglas prevailed weeks later at Baltimore.
  • John C. Breckinridge was the candidate of the Southern Democratic Party and was nominated for President at Baltimore in June 1860.

Constitutional Union Party

  • John Bell was nominated. By nominating slave owner John Bell, 64, of Tennessee, the Constitutional Unionists had filled their ticket.
  • The nomination of Bell meant that the Republican nominee would face less competition & that the southern Democratic nominee would face less competition.

Republican Nomination

  • The Republican Nominating Contest held in Chicago, May 16-18, featured Abraham Lincoln of Illinois and William H. Seward of New York.
  • Seward's opposition to Nativism became a liability, precluding support for him in Pennsylvania.
  • Lincoln became the beneficiary of the Pennsylvania-New York Divisions Over Nativism.
  • Other Republican candidates included Salmon P. Chase, Simon Cameron and Edward Bates
  • Seward's Assets: Republican front runner for the nomination & best known. A national figure since 1838! Former governor of New York (1839-1842) and U.S.
  • Seward's Liabilities: Many Republicans were ambivalent about his potential political strength in the lower north states bordering slavery such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana & Many Republicans were ambivalent about his ability to win over anti-immigrant nativists.
  • Salmon P. Chase's Assets: Second best-known candidate; a highly principled anti- slavery advocate; Ohio (23) second best state
  • Salmon P. Chase's Liabilities: Anti-slavery reputation might alienate voters in southern Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania.
  • Simon Cameron Assets: Third best-known candidate; outreach to Nativists; Senator from Pennsylvania (27) the third best state.
  • Simon Cameron Liabilities: Taint of corruption; outreach to Nativists alienates German Protestants (German Catholics seem to have a hidden bias).
  • Edward Bates Assets: As a moderate from a border state he offered a strong likelihood of Republicans carrying the critical lower north border states of Pennsylvania Ohio Indiana & Illinois.
  • Edward Bates Liabilities: Problems with German protestants: Past flirtation with Know-Nothings & had voted for Fillmore in 1856.
  • Abraham Lincoln Assets: from Illinois, strength in the lower north border states of Illinois, Indiana. No recent voting record or taint of Nativism and, perceived as more moderate on the slavery issue.
  • The Republican Challenge: 149 required; GOP 114; 35 EV Short.

Republican Convention Ballots

  • First Ballot (233 needed): Seward: 173, Lincoln: 102, Cameron: 50, Chase: 49, Bates: 48
  • Second Ballot (233 needed): Seward: 184, Lincoln: 181, Cameron: 2, Chase: 42, Bates: 35
  • Third Ballot (233 needed): Seward: 180, Lincoln: 231, Cameron: 0, Chase: 24, Bates: 22
  • Revised 3rd Ballot (233 needed): Seward: 111, Lincoln: 349