ent when doubts of Seward's success were most prevalent,
and when excitement in regard to the nomination was deepest, the
Republicans of Illinois met in State convention. It was but a few
days in advance of the assembling of the National convention. By
a spontaneous movement they nominated Mr. Lincoln for President.
It was a surprise to the convention that did it. The man who
created the great outburst for Mr. Lincoln in that Illinois
assemblage, who interpreted the feelings of delegates to themselves,
was Richard J. Oglesby, a speaker of force and eloquence, afterward
honorably prominent and popular in military and civil life. He
was seconded with unanimity, and with boisterous demonstrations of
applause. The whole State was instantly alive and ablaze for
Lincoln. A delegation competent for its work was sent to the
convention. David Davis, O. H. Browning, Burton C. Cook, Gustavus
Koerner, and their associates, met no abler body of men in a
convention remarkable for its ability. They succeeded in the
difficult task assigned to them. They did not in their canvass
present Mr. Lincoln as a rival to Mr. Seward, but rather as an
admirer and friend. The votes which were given to Mr. Lincoln on
the first ballot were, in large part, from delegations that could
not be induced in any event to vote for Mr. Seward. The presentation
of Mr. Lincoln's name kept these delegates from going to a candidate
less acceptable to the immediate friends of Mr. Seward. No management
could have been more skillful, no tact more admirable. The result
attested the vigor and wisdom of those who had Mr. Lincoln's fortunes
in charge.

Mr. Seward's support, however, after all the assaults made upon
it, was still very formidable. On the first ballot he received
1751/2 votes, while Mr. Lincoln received but 102. Delegates to the
number of 190 divided their votes between Bates, Chase, Cameron,
Dayton, McLean, and Collamer. They held the balance of power, and
on the second ballot it was disclosed that the mass of them favored
Mr. Lincoln as against Mr. Seward. The latter gained but nine
votes, carrying his total up to 1841/2, while Mr. Lincoln received
181. On the third ballot, Mr. Lincoln was nominated by general
consent.

NOMINATION OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

It is one of the contradictions not infrequently exhibited in the
movement of partisan bodies, that Mr. Seward was defeated because
of his