however, that Mr. Seward was by far the most prominent, and his nomination was generally expected by Republicans in the East, if not in the West. Indeed, Mr. Lincoln was not known to the rank and file of the Republican party outside of the western States. Mr. Chase and Judge Bates were better known to the people of the whole country than he. But the balloting proved that Mr. Seward was not as strong a candidate as many anticipated. Mr. Chase had forty-nine votes, and Judge Bates forty-eight, in the informal ballot, while Mr. Lincoln had one hundred and two. It was evident that Mr. Seward could not be nominated. There was not a sufficient number to leave their favourite candidates for him, to secure his nomination. But as the result proved, there were enough who would leave the men of their choice and vote for Mr. Lincoln, to elect him. To them Mr. Lincoln was a compromise candidate, whom they preferred if they could not have the man of their choice. Mr. Lincoln was nominated on the third ballot. The scene that followed the announcement beggars description. Not a storm, but a hurricane of uncontrollable enthusiasm burst from the vast assembly, augmented by the multitude waiting outside, who in response to the cry of a messenger stationed upon the roof of the “Wigwam,” “Fire the salute! Abe Lincoln is nominated,” rent the air with their deafening shouts, while the thundering roar of cannon, peal on peal, swelled the din into fearful proportions.

The news was flashed over the wires to Springfield; and, when it was received at the office of the Journal, where Mr. Lincoln and a few of his neighbours were gathered, the excitement of Chicago was repeated on a smaller scale, and the nominee was overwhelmed with congratulations. Taking the telegram up, Mr. Lincoln remarked,—

“Well, gentlemen, there is a little woman at our house who is probably more interested in this dispatch than I am; and if you will excuse me, I will take it up and let her see it.”

The Committee of the Chicago Convention officially notified Mr. Lincoln of his nomination at his home on the following day. A few citizens, desiring that their distinguished townsman should conform to an old political custom on so important an occasion, purchased a quantity of the choicest liquors they could find, and sent them to his house. Mr. Lincoln promptly returned them, with the characteristic message:—

“You know that we never do any such thing at our house.”

The correspondent of the Portland Press, who was present, says that after the official ceremonies and formal introductions ended, a servant brought in a waiter, containing a large pitcher and several glass tumblers, when “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 tumbler, he touched it to his lips, and pledged them his highest respects in a cup of cold water. Of course all his guests were constrained to admire his consistency, and to join in his example.”

His neighbours supposed that he would yield his temperance principles to the demands of the august occasion; but he was not the man to do that. The statesman who dared to oppose his own best friends, and say to the world, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” would not sacrifice his principles now for a glass of wine.

He received the honoured guests with the simplicity and informality for which he was famed, and, after assuring them that he had nothing stronger than “Adam’s ale” in his house, he drank their health in the “sparkling beverage.” He never performed a more independent, consistent, and worthy act than that. He stood by his temperance principles just as he did by his anti-slavery principles.

His nomination created the most intense excitement and bitterness in the slave States. Threats of secession and rebellion came from them with every wind that blew. His election in the following November was the signal for the southern leaders to prepare for civil war and the dissolution of the Union. Before Inauguration Day arrived seven of the southern States had seceded and organized a southern Confederacy. Mutterings