Team of Rivals
“make the gallows…the cross”: Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Courage,” November 7, 1859, lecture in Boston, as reported by the NYTrib, quoted in John McAleer, Ralph Waldo Emerson: Days of Encounter (Boston and Toronto: Little, Brown, 1984), p. 532.
“great courage”…“rare unselfishness”: Elwood Free Press on AL, “Speech at Elwood, Kansas,” December 1 [November 30?], 1859, in CW, III, p. 496.
“that cannot…think himself right”: AL, “Speech at Leavenworth, Kansas,” December 3, 1859, in ibid., p. 502.
Republican National Committee at Astor House: Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, pp. 20–21.
“attach more consequence”: AL to Norman B. Judd, December 14, 1859, in CW, III, p. 509.
“good neutral ground…an even chance”: Archie Jones, “The 1860 Republican Convention,” transcript of Chicago station WAAF radio broadcast, May 16, 1960, Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Ill.
“carefully kept…on the nomination”: Whitney, Lincoln the Citizen, Vol. I, p. 285.
“promised that…furnished free”: Press and Tribune, Chicago, December 27, 1859.
Chicago beat St. Louis by a single vote: Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, p. 21.
“a cheap excursion…of the State”: Whitney, Lincoln the Citizen, Vol. I, p. 285.
“I like the place…take exception to it”: John Bigelow to WHS, January 18, 1860, reel 59, Seward Papers.
“Had the convention…been the nominee”: Charles Gibson, “Edward Bates,” Missouri Historical Society Collections II (January 1900), p. 55.
“there is not…not much of me”: AL to Jesse W. Fell, December 20, 1859, in CW, III, p. 511.
“a wild region…in the woods”: AL, “Autobiography by Abraham Lincoln, enclosed with Lincoln to Jesse W. Fell,” December 20, 1859, in ibid., p. 511.
“If any thing…written by myself”: AL to Jesse W. Fell, December 20, 1859, in ibid., p. 511.
he received an invitation: James A. Briggs to AL, October 12, 1859, Lincoln Papers; Harold Holzer, Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004), p. 10.
“His clothes were travel-stained…for Monday night”: Henry C. Bowen, paraphrased in Henry B. Rankin, Intimate Character Sketches of Abraham Lincoln (Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Co., 1924), pp. 179–80.
“Well, B…. as a man ought to want”: “Recollections of Mr. McCormick,” in Wilson, Intimate Memories of Lincoln, p. 251 (quote); Holzer, Lincoln at Cooper Union, p. 86. Holzer identifies “B.” as Mayson Brayman.
Lincoln paid a visit…“shorten [his] neck”: AL, quoted in James D. Horan, Mathew Brady: Historian with a Camera (New York: Crown Publishers, 1955), p. 31. For portrait, see plate 93 in Horan.
weather and attendance: Thomas, Abraham Lincoln, p. 202; Holzer, Lincoln at Cooper Union, pp. 103, 303 n55.
“this western man”: Rankin, Intimate Character Sketches of Abraham Lincoln, p. 173.
Lincoln’s appearance: Herndon and Weik, Herndon’s Life of Lincoln, p. 369.
“one of the legs…longer than his sleeves”: Russell H. Conwell, “Personal Glimpses of Celebrated Men and Women,” quoted in Wayne Whipple, The Story-Life of Lincoln. A Biography Composed of Five Hundred True Stories Told by Abraham Lincoln and His Friends (Philadelphia: J. C. Winston Co., 1908), p. 308.
had labored to craft his address: Rankin, Intimate Character Sketches of Abraham Lincoln, pp. 174–75; Holzer, Lincoln at Cooper Union, pp. 50–53.
“Our fathers…protection a necessity”: AL, “Address at Cooper Institute, New York City,” February 27, 1860, in CW, III, pp. 522, 535.
a “hue and cry…never can be reversed”: AL, “Temperance Address delivered before the Springfield Washington Temperance Society,” February 22, 1842, in CW, I, p. 273.
Cooper Union speech: AL, “Address at Cooper Institute, New York City,” February 27, 1860, in CW, III, pp. 522–50, esp. 537, 538, 547, 550.
erupted in thunderous applause: Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, pp. 158–59.
Briggs predicted…“have heard tonight”: James Briggs, quoted in Holzer, Lincoln at Cooper Union, p. 147.
“When I came out…‘since St. Paul’”: Unknown observer, quoted in ibid., p. 146.
undertaking an exhausting tour: See copies of Lincoln’s speeches in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, in CW, III, pp. 550–54, and speeches in Connecticut, CW, IV, pp. 2–30; Holzer, Lincoln at Cooper Union, pp. 176–77.
He was forced to decline…“before the fall elections”: AL to Isaac Pomeroy, March 3, 1860, in CW, III, p. 554.
“being within my calculation…ideas in print”: AL to MTL, March 4, 1860, in ibid., p. 555.
Lincoln first met Gideon Welles: J. Doyle DeWitt, Lincoln in Hartford (privately printed: n.d.), p. 5; John Niven, Gideon Welles: Lincoln’s Secretary of the Navy (New York: Oxford University Press, 1973), pp. 287, 289.
Gideon Welles’s appearance and career: John T. Morse, Introduction, Diary of Gideon Welles: Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. I: 1861–March 30, 1864 (Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin/The Riverside Press, 1911), pp. xvii–xxi; Richard S. West, Jr., Gideon Welles: Lincoln’s Navy Department (Indianapolis and New York: Bobbs-Merrill, 1943).
“the party of the Southern slaveocracy”: Morse, Introduction, Diary of Gideon Welles (1911 edn.), p. xix.
had settled on Chase…“very expensive rulers”: West, Gideon Welles, pp. 78–79, 81 (quote p. 78).
Lincoln and Welles spent several hours: DeWitt, Lincoln in Hartford, p. 5; Niven, Gideon Welles, p. 289.
the Hartford speech: AL, “Speech at New Haven, Connecticut,” March 6, 1860, in CW, IV, p. 18.
“as if the people…out loud”: James Russell Lowell, “Abraham Lincoln,” in The Writings of James Russell Lowell, Vol. V, Political Essays (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1892), p. 208.
“introduced the Trojan horse”: WHS, “Admission of Kansas. Speech of Hon. W. H. Seward, of New York, In the Senate, April 9, 1856,” Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 34th Cong., 1st sess., p. 405.
Lincoln met with Welles again: “The Career of Gideon Welles,” typescript manuscript draft, Henry B. Learned Papers, reel 36, Welles Papers; Hendrick, Lincoln’s War Cabinet, p. 78.
“This orator…in his logic”: GW’s editorial in Hartford Evening Press, quoted in West, Gideon Welles, p. 81.
“I have been sufficiently…and learned men”: Rev. J. P. Gulliver article in New York Independent, September 1, 1864, quoted in Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 311.
“I think your chance…man in the country”: James A. Briggs, “Narrative of James A. Briggs, Esq.,” New York Evening Post, August 16, 1867, reprinted in An Authentic Account of Hon. Abraham Lincoln, Being Invited to give an Address in Cooper Institute, N.Y., February 27, 1860 (Putnam, Conn.: privately printed, 1915), n.p.
“When I was East…to the best”: AL, quoted in Briggs, “Narrative of James A. Briggs, Esq.”
At the end of January 1859: Lyman Trumbull to AL, January 29, 1859, Lincoln Papers.
“Any effort…a rival of yours”: AL to Lyman Trumbull, February 3, 1859, in CW, III, pp. 355–56.
“A word now…suggestions of this sort”: AL to Lyman Trumbull, April 29, 1860, in CW, IV, p. 46.
Lincoln’s effort to defuse…Judd and Wentworth: Don E. Fehrenbacher, Chicago Giant: A Biography of “Long John” Wentworth (Madison, Wisc.: American History Research Center, 1957), pp. 163, 169–74.
Wentworth would drag out…“at Lincoln’s expense”: Note 1, accompanying transcript of AL to Norman B. Judd, December 9, 1859, Lincoln Papers (quote); Fehrenbacher, Chicago Giant, pp. 169–70.
Lincoln hastened to reassure…“go uncontradicted”: AL to Norman B. Judd, December 9, 1859, in CW, III, p. 505.
Judd brought a libel suit…tried to retain Lincoln: See note 1 provided with John Wentworth to AL, November 28, 1859, Lincoln Papers; Fehrenbacher, Chicago Giant, pp. 170–72.
“very reason…keeping
up a quarrel”: John Wentworth to AL, December 21, 1859, Lincoln Papers.
he did help to mediate: Don E. Fehrenbacher, “The Judd-Wentworth Feud,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society XLV (Autumn 1952), pp. 203, 204.
“I am not…end of the vineyard?”: AL to Norman B. Judd, February 9, 1860, in CW, III, p. 517.
a resounding editorial: See Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, pp. 148–50.
“You saw what…Was it satisfactory?”: Norman B. Judd to AL, February 21, 1860, Lincoln Papers.
“That Abraham Lincoln…a unit for him”: Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, p. 186.
“what is to be…reverse the decree”: MTL interview, September 1866, in HI, p. 360 n4.
CHAPTER 8: SHOWDOWN IN CHICAGO
Forty thousand visitors: Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. I, p. 344: Buffalo Morning Express, May 16, 1860, David Davis Papers, Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, Ill. [hereafter Davis Papers, ICHi].
trains…carried the delegates: Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, p. 212.
youngest political party…fastest-growing city: Jones, “The 1860 Republican Convention.”
crowds gathered…“swung their hats”: Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 15, 1860.
the one that began its journey: Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 12, 1860.
“when ‘a mile a minute’…in their boots”: Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 16, 1860.
prizefighters hired “to keep the peace…broken heads”: Clark, “Lincoln’s Nomination As Seen By a Young Girl,” Putnam’s, p. 537.
“such refreshments…among the opponents”: Buffalo Morning Express, May 15, 1860, Davis Papers, ICHi.
“almost ridiculous”: Anonymous writer, quoted in As Others See Chicago: Impressions of Visitors, 1673–1933, ed. Bessie Louise Pierce (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1933), p. 151.
“growth is…a word”: James Stirling, quoted in ibid., p. 123.
“a military post and fur station”: A Guide to the City of Chicago (Chicago: Zell & Co., 1868), pp. 32–33.
population of more than a hundred thousand: Thomas, Abraham Lincoln, p. 207.
“the first grain…all of Europe”: A Strangers’ and Tourists’ Guide to the City of Chicago (Chicago: Relig. Philo. Pub. Assoc., 1866), p. 24.
“the first lumber-market in the world”: Anonymous writer, quoted in As Others See Chicago, p. 151.
“miles of wharves…pursuit of trade”: A Strangers’ and Tourists’ Guide to the City of Chicago, p. 19.
a bold decision to elevate every building: Anonymous writer, quoted in As Others See Chicago, pp. 157–58.
“Our city has been chosen”…Lavish preparations: Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 12, 1860.
“A most magically…the eager crowd”: Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 15, 1860.
Accommodations, restaurants: Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, pp. 212–13; Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 9, 14, and 17, 1860.
The most popular luncheon: Chicago Daily Evening Journal, May 15, 1860, Davis Papers, ICHi.
As packed trains continued…to forty thousand: Buffalo Morning Express, May 15, 1860, Davis Papers, ALPLM; Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, p. 222.
“I thought…some popular eruption”: Daily [Ind.] Journal, May 17, 1860, Davis Papers, ICHi.
“with a zest…unfeeling bosom”: Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 17, 1860.
“The city is thronged…shunned and condemned”: Chicago Daily Evening Journal, May 15, 1860.
If this new party…the presidency: Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, p. 140.
“who crowded…standing room”: Chicago Daily Evening Journal, May 16, 1860, Davis Papers, ICHi.
When the big doors…date for the afternoon: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, pp. 147–48; Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, pp. 246–47; Jones, “The 1860 Republican Convention”; Clark, “Lincoln’s Nomination As Seen By a Young Girl,” Putnam’s, p. 537 (quote).
Exactly at noon…officially began: Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 17, 1860.
“no body of men…in [their] faith”: Governor Morgan, quoted in Oldroyd, Lincoln’s Campaign, pp. 27–28; Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 17, 1860.
an inclusive platform…a two-thirds vote: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, pp. 156–58, 159.
“The great body…cardinal doctrines”: Pike, “Mr. Seward’s Defeat,” May 20, 1860, from NYTrib, reprinted in Pike, First Blows of the Civil War, p. 517.
a move was made to proceed: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, pp. 158, 159, 161; Press and Tribune, Chicago, May 18, 1860.
A Committee of Twelve…“consumed in talking”: Charles P. Smith, “The Nomination of Lincoln,” undated pamphlet from the Collections of the New Jersey State Library, Archives & History Division, Trenton, N.J., copy in Davis Papers, ICHi.
Greeley at convention: Van Deusen, Horace Greeley, pp. 245–48; Smith, “The Nomination of Lincoln.”
“cannot concentrate…will be nominated”: May 17 telegram from Horace Greeley, reprinted in NYTrib, May 18, 1860.
“every one of the…freely as water”: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, pp. 160–61.
“Four years ago…courage and confidence”: TW, quoted in Addison G. Procter, Lincoln and the Convention of 1860: An Address Before the Chicago Historical Society, April 4, 1918 (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 1918), pp. 6–7.
“I suppose…confirm what I say”: Horace Greeley, quoted in Procter, Lincoln and the Convention of 1860, p. 8.
“each of whom…Greeley had said”: Ibid.
“I know my people well…slavery where it is”: Henry Lane, quoted in ibid., pp. 12–13.
few were aware of his estrangement: Henry J. Raymond, quoted in Barnes, Memoir of Thurlow Weed, p. 274.
“While professing so high…had his revenge”: Auburn [N.Y.] Daily Advertiser, May 31, 1860.
“In all candor…to the same effect”: Koerner, Memoirs of Gustave Koerner, Vol. II, pp. 88–89.
He was much too conservative…officially enlisted: Missouri Republican, St. Louis, Mo., May 19, 1860; Potter, The Impending Crisis, 1848–1861, p. 427.
“If united…and the West”: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, p. 148.
Any hope of persuading…“promote his interest”: John McLean, quoted in Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, p. 146.
“There was no unity…pitiable to behold”: Statement of Willard Warner, paraphrased in Columbus [Ohio] Gazette, May 25, 1860.
“If the Ohio delegation…[been] relied upon”: Francis M. Wright to SPC, May 21, 1860, reel 13, Chase Papers.
“There are lots…lukewarm friends”: Erastus Hopkins to SPC, May 17, 1860, reel 13, Chase Papers.
“Men gather…the big bell rings”: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, pp. 143, 163, 149–50.
“You know how…no positive objection”: AL to Richard M. Corwine, May 2, 1860, in CW, IV, p. 47.
“to antagonize no one”: King, Lincoln’s Manager, p. 136.
“relative ability…man who could win”: Stampp, “The Republican National Convention of 1860,” in Stampp, The Imperiled Union, p. 160.
“No men ever worked…two hours a night”: Leonard Swett to Josiah Drummond, May 27, 1860, Davis Papers, ALPLM.
“Most of them…political morality”: Whitney, Lincoln the Citizen, Vol. 1, p. 266.
“typically methodical way”: King, Lincoln’s Manager, p. 135 (quote); see also p. 136, and chapter 11 generally.
“a drawback…Gov. Seward”: AL, quoted in Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, p. 145.
“It all worked…was Indiana”: Leonard Swett to Josiah H. Drummond, May 27, 1860, quoted in Oldroyd, Lincoln’s Campaign, p. 71.
“the whole of Indiana…to get”: AL to Richard M. Corwine, May 2, 1860, in CW, IV, p. 47 (quote); AL to Cyrus M. Allen, May 1, 1860, in ibid., p. 46.
Claims have been made…Caleb Smith: Baringer, Lincoln’s Rise to Power, pp. 214–15.
No deal was needed: Donald, Lincoln, p. 249.
> Indiana…to back Lincoln: John D. Defrees to Schuyler Colfax, quoted in Hollister, Life of Schuyler Colfax, p. 148.
Committee of Twelve…“general good of the party”: Smith, “The Nomination of Lincoln,” Davis Papers, ICHi.
Davis had previously…might be procured: Whitney, Lincoln the Citizen, Vol. I, p. 289.
“Make no…bind me”: AL, Endorsement on the Margin of the Missouri Democrat, May 17, 1860, in CW, IV, p. 50.
“Everybody was mad…‘he must ratify it’”: Whitney, Lincoln the Citizen, Vol. I, p. 289.
The Blairs had supposedly promised: Clay, The Life of Cassius Marcellus Clay, pp. 244–46; Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, p. 68.
“oceans of money”: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, p. 162.
“get every member…appointment”: King, Lincoln’s Manager, p. 140.
“My assurance to them…as much as possible”: Leonard Swett to AL, May 20, 1860, Davis Papers, ALPLM.
for a celebratory march…“a little too far”: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, p. 164.
had manufactured duplicate tickets: Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, pp. 160–61.
“it was part of…the Convention”: Swett to Drummond, May 27, 1860, quoted in Oldroyd, Lincoln’s Campaign, p. 72.
friends and supporters from all over the state: Luthin, The First Lincoln Campaign, pp. 160–61.
“by a deafening shout”: Swett to Drummond, May 27, 1860, quoted in Oldroyd, Lincoln’s Campaign, p. 72.
“loud and long”: Albany Evening Journal, May 18, 1860.
“appalled us a little”: Swett to Drummond, May 27, 1860, quoted in Oldroyd, Lincoln’s Campaign, p. 72.
“If Mr. Seward’s name…far and wide”: NYT, May 21, 1860.
“tremendous applause…Lincoln’s favor”: Henry Raymond article, quoted in Barnes, Memoir of Thurlow Weed, p. 276.
“cold when compared”: NYT, May 21, 1860.
“trial of lungs”: Albany Evening Journal, May 18, 1860; NYH, May 19, 1860; NYT, May 19, 1860.
“The shouting was…infernal intensity”: Halstead, Three Against Lincoln, p. 165.