with the most marked enthusiasm, on the motion of Mr. William Evarts of New York.

Mr. Lincoln was immediately officially, but informally, notified of his nomination; and in a few days the President of the Nominating Convention, Geo. Ashman of Massachusetts, in cor unction with a committee from different States, appointed for that purpose, addressed him a letter, to which he responded as follows:

“SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, May 23d, 1860. "Hon. George Ashmun, President of the Republican National Convention :

"SIR,-I accept the nomination tendered me by the Convention over which you presided, and of which I am formally apprised in the letter of yourself and others, acting as a committee of the Convention for that purpose.

"The declaration of principles and sentiments, which accompanies your letter, meets my approval; and it shall be my care not to violate, or disregard it, in any part.

"Imploring the assistance of Divine Providence, and with due regard to the views and feelings of all who were represented in the Convention; to the rights of all the States and Territories, and people of the nation; to the inviolability of the Constitution, and the perpetual union, harmony and prosperity of all, I am most happy to cooperate for the practical success of the principles declared by the Convention.

"Your obliged friend and fellow-citizen,

“ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

The canvass which succeeded the National Convention of 1860, was one of the most earnest and strenuous ever witnessed in our country.

On the sixth of November the election for President

took place, with the following result: Mr. Lincoln received 491,275 over Mr. Douglas; 1,018,499 over Mr. Breckenridge, and 1,275,821 over Mr. Bell; and the electoral vote was subsequently proclaimed by Congress to have been as follows:

For Abraham Lincoln, of Illino

For John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky

For John Bell, of Tennessee

For Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois.

180

72

39

12

SECESSION.

Immediately after it was known that Mr. Lincoln had been elected President, preparations were openly made for the dissolution of the American Union. South Carolina seceded, then Mississippi, then Alabama, then Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. Custom-houses, arsenals and United States buildings were seized by "Confederate" troops, under authority of the "Confederate Government," organized at Montgomery, Alabama, on the 18th of February, 1861, by the inauguratian of Jefferson Davis as President, and Alexander H. Stephens as Vice-President. The people of the North were divided upon the right of secession" and the power of the Government coerce States." James Buchanan, President of the United States, in his last annual message, Dec. 4, 1860, met the question of resistance, or submission to the progress of the work of secession and threats of armed rebellion, in the following words:

66

to "

"The question, fairly stated, is, Has the Constitution delegated to Congress the power to coerce a State into submission which is attempting to withdraw, or has actually withdrawn, from the confederacy? If answered in the affirmative, it must be on the principle that the

power has been conferred on Congress to make war on a State. After much serious reflection, I have arrived at the conclusion that no such power has been delegated to Congress, nor to any other department of the Federal Government."

Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Arkansas were expected to join the "Confederacy," and a strong spirit of rebellion was manifest in Maryland. The public mind was occupied with one great thought-How far will the South go, and what can the North do to check Secession and crush Rebellion? In seeking a solution of this problem naturally public attention was turned to the President elect, and, under such circumstances, Mr. Lincoln was called upon to take leave of his neighbors and proceed to Washington, to assume the duties and responsibilities to which the people had called him.

THE JOURNEY TO WASHINGTON AS PRESIDENT ELECT.

FAREWELL TO HOME.

Mr. Lincoln left Springfield, Illinois, on the 11th of February, 1861. He was accompanied to the depot by a large concourse of friends and neighbors. A few minutes before the time appointed for the starting of the cars, Mr. Lincoln, who had personally bid farewell to nearly all present, appeared upon the platform of the car set apart for the use of himself, family and personal friends, and made the following farewell address:

"MY FRIENDS:-No one not in my position can appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have lived more than a quarter of a century; here my children were born, and here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I

shall see you again. A duty devolves upon me which is, perhaps, greater than that which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would have succeeded except for the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at all times relied. I feel that ] cannot succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my reliance for support; and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I may receive that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, but with which success is certain. Again, I bid you all an affectionate farewell."

The persons accompanying Mr. Lincoln were Dr. W. M. Wallace, John G. Nicolay, John M. Hay, Hon. N. P. Judd, Hon. O. H. Browning, Hon. David Davis, Col. E. V. Sumner, Maj. D. Hunter, Capt. Geo. Hazzard, Col. E. E. Ellsworth, Col. Ward, H. Lamon, J. M. Burgess, Geo. C. Latham, W. S. Wood, Mrs. Lincoln, Robt. T. Lincoln, a nurse and two children.

FROM SPRINGFIELD TO INDIANAPOLIS.

Along the route several speeches were made by Mr. Lincoln, in response to the earnest solicitation of the people, who had gathered in crowds at the way stations. At the last point in the State of Illinois, in response to repeated calls, Mr. Lincoln presented himself to the people, and said:

"I am leaving you on an errand of national importance, attended, as you are aware, with considerable difficulties. Let us believe, as some poet has expressed it, • Behind the cloud the sun is shining still.' I bid you an affectionate farewell."

RECEPTION AT INDIANAPOLIS.

In this railroad city, business was temporarily suspended, and the visit of the President elect was the allabsorbing topic of conversation. The citizens had made preparation for giving Mr. Lincoln a reception, commensurate with the dignity of the position of the incoming of the Chief Magistrate. The principal buildings of the city were gaily decorated with flags. The Legislature was not in session during the forenoon, and adjourned shortly after convening in the afternoon. The special train, containing Mr. Lincoln and suite, which consisted, in addition to those previously mentioned, of N. Bate`man, E. Peck, J. Grimshaw, W. R. Morrison, L. W. Ross, M. H. Cassell, O. M. Hatch, Wm. S. Underwood, W. M. Butler, Wm. H. Carlin, J. A. Hough, D. H. Gilmer, Gov. Yates, and Ex-Gov. Moore, arrived at five o'clock. As it approached the Union depot, a national salute of thirty-four guns was fired by the City Greys Artillery. On arriving at the depot, Gov. Morton welcomed the President in an earnest speech, in the course of which he said:

"In every free government there will be differences of opinion, and these differences result in the formation of parties; but when the voice of the people has been expressed through the forms of the Constitution, all patriots yield to its obedience. Submission to the popular will is the essential principle of republican government, and so vital is this principle that it admits of but one exception, which is revolution. To weaken it is anarchy; to destroy it is despotism. It recognizes no appeal beyond the ballot-box; and, while it is preserved, liberty may be wounded, but never slain. To this principle the people of Indiana-men of all parties-are loyal, and