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[LINCOLN, Abraham, ELECTION OF 1860]. JUDD, Norman B. (1815-1878) and DAVIS, Oliver Lowndes. Manuscript letter (in Davis's hand) signed (by Davis, for Judd and himself), as Chairman and Sec. respectively of the Illinois State Delegation to the 1860 Republican National Convention, addressed "to the Honorable the Chairman of the Massachusetts Delegation [John S. Keyes (1821-1910)]." N.p. [Chicago], n.d. [ca.16 May 1860]. 2 pages, 4to, integral blank, minor dampstains to part of sheet, not affecting legibility. Docketed by Keyes as Chairman of the Massachusetts Delegation: "Reply of the Illinois Delegation."
THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE 1860 REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: "WE CANNOT CARRY ILLINOIS WITH ANY OTHER MAN THAN MR LINCOLN"
A document which provides a unique view of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Lincoln's supporters in the Chicago Convention which led to his obtaining the Republican Presidential nomination. Seward of New York was initially the front-runner, but significant factions supported Simon Cameron, Edward Bates and Salmon P. Chase (all later part of Lincoln's cabinet). Judd, Chairman of the Illinois delegation and a strong Lincoln supporter, here anticipates the split in the Democrats which led, in June, to Douglas becoming the candidate of the northern wing and Breckinridge that of the southern, a schism which contributed significantly to Lincoln's victory in the election. When they convened, the arithmetic facing the Republican delegates was clear: they must select a candidate strong enough to carry the same 11 states carried by J.C. Fremont in 1856 and to win the new states of Pennsylvania plus New Jersey, Indiana or Illinois; or the latter three without Pennsylvania. The delegations of those three states therefore took on an enhanced significance. Here, Judd emphatically asserts that Lincoln is the sole candidate certain to carry Illinois, and declines any secondary candidate:
"The Delegates from Illinois respectfully answer to the Delegation from Massachusetts, that in the apprehension which is strongly felt by this delegation, that Judge [S.A.] Douglas will be presented either by the United Democracy or by the Northern portion thereof (which is to us the most dangerous contingency) we are compelled by our regard for truth to say that we feel the utmost certainty that with all the energy we may be able to exert we cannot carry Illinois with any other man than Mr Lincoln. We are compelled by our peculiar position to say that in our Delegation, representing all portions of the State, we cannot either by a majority or even by a respectable minority present any other names as our subsequent choice. The other candidates each have warm friends in our delegation whose opinion as to availability second to Mr. Lincoln seem to vary and to be influenced by their wishes...[W]hoever shall be the nominee of this convention shall receive our warmest support and...the benefit of our undivided energies to secure his election. By order of the Illinois Delegation."
In the balloting, Seward led on the first two ballots, but Lincoln ran a strong second. On the third ballot, Lincoln won. Judd, a prominent Chicago attorney, is credited with bringing the Convention to Illinois (where Lincoln would command more influence), and "nominated Lincoln at the Convention, seated the delegations to Lincoln's advantage, and worked hard for the victory" (M. Neely). His efforts included packing the hall with Lincoln supporters brought by railroad for the event and the printing of conterfeit admission tickets to ensure they Seward's men were outnumbered. Judd later accompanied the Lincolns on their journey to the inauguration. Keyes later claimed to have served as a bodyguard to Lincoln at the first inauguration; as Massachusetts Marshall to the Gettysburg dedication he escorted Edward Everett to the grandstand.
THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE 1860 REPUBLICAN CONVENTION: "WE CANNOT CARRY ILLINOIS WITH ANY OTHER MAN THAN MR LINCOLN"
A document which provides a unique view of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Lincoln's supporters in the Chicago Convention which led to his obtaining the Republican Presidential nomination. Seward of New York was initially the front-runner, but significant factions supported Simon Cameron, Edward Bates and Salmon P. Chase (all later part of Lincoln's cabinet). Judd, Chairman of the Illinois delegation and a strong Lincoln supporter, here anticipates the split in the Democrats which led, in June, to Douglas becoming the candidate of the northern wing and Breckinridge that of the southern, a schism which contributed significantly to Lincoln's victory in the election. When they convened, the arithmetic facing the Republican delegates was clear: they must select a candidate strong enough to carry the same 11 states carried by J.C. Fremont in 1856 and to win the new states of Pennsylvania plus New Jersey, Indiana or Illinois; or the latter three without Pennsylvania. The delegations of those three states therefore took on an enhanced significance. Here, Judd emphatically asserts that Lincoln is the sole candidate certain to carry Illinois, and declines any secondary candidate:
"The Delegates from Illinois respectfully answer to the Delegation from Massachusetts, that in the apprehension which is strongly felt by this delegation, that Judge [S.A.] Douglas will be presented either by the United Democracy or by the Northern portion thereof (which is to us the most dangerous contingency) we are compelled by our regard for truth to say that we feel the utmost certainty that with all the energy we may be able to exert we cannot carry Illinois with any other man than Mr Lincoln. We are compelled by our peculiar position to say that in our Delegation, representing all portions of the State, we cannot either by a majority or even by a respectable minority present any other names as our subsequent choice. The other candidates each have warm friends in our delegation whose opinion as to availability second to Mr. Lincoln seem to vary and to be influenced by their wishes...[W]hoever shall be the nominee of this convention shall receive our warmest support and...the benefit of our undivided energies to secure his election. By order of the Illinois Delegation."
In the balloting, Seward led on the first two ballots, but Lincoln ran a strong second. On the third ballot, Lincoln won. Judd, a prominent Chicago attorney, is credited with bringing the Convention to Illinois (where Lincoln would command more influence), and "nominated Lincoln at the Convention, seated the delegations to Lincoln's advantage, and worked hard for the victory" (M. Neely). His efforts included packing the hall with Lincoln supporters brought by railroad for the event and the printing of conterfeit admission tickets to ensure they Seward's men were outnumbered. Judd later accompanied the Lincolns on their journey to the inauguration. Keyes later claimed to have served as a bodyguard to Lincoln at the first inauguration; as Massachusetts Marshall to the Gettysburg dedication he escorted Edward Everett to the grandstand.