How We Got Lincoln - Essay Example

Peter Andrews, in his writing “How we got Lincoln”, talks about the national republican convention held in Chicago in 1860. Abraham Lincoln was a candidate in the 1860 elections, though he had critical arguments against it. He was mentioned as an alternative to the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, that is, in place of the New York Senator, William H. Seward. Manifold events happened in late 1859 and early 1860 that gave a boost to Lincoln’s chances for the presidency. For example, the selection of Chicago as the location for the Republican convention, was a decision put forward by the Illinois Republican chairman Norman B. Judd, in order to give Lincoln an advantage over the home city. Another thing was the reaction that Abraham Lincoln got to the speech that he delivered in the Copper Union in 1860, which attracted a lot of Northeastern Republicans, who were already seeking an alternative to Senator Seward. This paper tends to discuss and analyze, “How we got Lincoln”, by focusing on the national republican convention held in Chicago in 1860.

Abraham Lincoln became a nominee for the presidency in the convention. The writer states that much was said against Senator Seward, who was the focus of attention at the May 17, 1860, Chicago national republican convention, something that went in support of Abraham Lincoln. Delegates from 24 states, including Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland, attended the Chicago convention. William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and Abraham Lincoln of Illinois were the primary nominees from a turf of twelve candidates. Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, a candid abolitionist was selected as vice-president. The Republican platform, which was adopted by the convention, clearly stated that slavery would not be extended, nor promoted anymore, for the benefit of the black community. It stated that free-homestead legislation would be enacted, and a daily mail service and a transcontinental railroad will be established. In the convention, three candidates stood in opposition to Lincoln. They were Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrat), John Bell (Constitutional Union Party), and John Cabell Breckenridge (Southern Democrat). Douglas was Lincoln’s closest rival. Lincoln's key squabble for recognition at the convention was Douglas’ defeat for the Senate in the 1860 election in his home state of Chicago, Illinois. Given that Douglas was a popular Democratic nominee, Lincoln's show in the election was significant. However, Lincoln won a lot more votes than Douglas, winning a good percentage of the popular vote.

There was also a lot of competition for the Republican nomination at the convention. The Republican candidates included Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania, Ben Wade and Salmon Chase of Ohio, Cassius Clay of Kentucky, and Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln was the least known among all the Republican candidates, because he had not held any elected position since 1840. Lincoln had fewer votes than Seward on the first and second ballet but won from the third ballot in the convention. In the third ballet, Lincoln was short of a few votes, but the Ohio chair, over a settlement, declared the switch of four votes from Salmon Chase to Lincoln, which pushed Lincoln over the required total. The convention expressed immense applause. After a long journey of campaign and elections, Vice President Breckinridge, on February 11, announced the victory of Abraham Lincoln. Republican success in the Chicago convention became possible not only because of Lincoln’s stance against slavery but also due to the dissatisfaction of the citizens with the Democratic Party. Hence, we see that the writer has portrayed a true picture of the Chicago national convention of 1860, in which Lincoln won his nomination as president. The writer has given intricate details, and there is nothing else about the convention that is left to be conveyed to the reader.

The writer, in his article, has tried to convey the true picture of the achievement of Abraham Lincoln at the Chicago convention- an achievement that made him go through the journey of a common man to the president. He had strong views on black slavery and wanted their freedom. He had great support from all classes of people. He was recognized as a strong leader, with enough courage and strength to put their problems to an end. That is why they looked forward to him and elected him as their president. The article is a true depiction of the Chicago convention and makes the reader aware of this brave leader. The book is highly recommended to those who have an interest in the political life of Abraham Lincoln, and who want to gain some insight about what qualities are required to become a successful leader.