Electing Lincoln

This print quotes a famous address Lincoln delivered in February 1860. The speech detailed his moderate views on the question of slavery – something Republican Party leaders would recall at their May nominating convention.

Leaders of the emerging Republican Party favored a moderate, geographically balanced ticket for the 1860 presidential election.

At the Republican National Convention in May 1860, the party nominated Abraham Lincoln of Illinois and Hannibal Hamlin of Maine for president and vice president. The two men had never met, but both were strong orators who opposed extending slavery into western territories.

Although the Democrats were likely to split votes, Americans were deeply divided over the issues of states' rights and slavery. Lincoln could count on little support in the southern states.

Still, this cartoon considered the prospect of Republicans Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin defeating their divided opponents in the 1860 presidential election.

Republican organizers set out to earn national recognition for their candidate. They employed traditional campaigning methods, distributing prints, newspaper articles, and biographies countrywide, organizing speeches by prominent party orators who “stumped” (traveled around speaking) for Lincoln, and hosting mass meetings.

These clever campaigners portrayed Lincoln as a rustic, humble man of the people.

Stories of his frontier upbringing and images of an axe-wielding man in plain clothes reinforced Lincoln’s “Honest Old Abe” reputation.

A group known as the Wide Awakes assembled in huge numbers throughout the northern states. They marched in support of the Republican Party, wearing elaborate uniforms and carrying flaming torches. The Wide Awakes also helped preserve order at political gatherings.

Republican organizers capitalized on this fervor by holding torchlight parades. They raised banners, decorated wagons and sought out bands, uniformed precision marchers and groups of local supporters to take part in these hours-long events. Manufacturers also cashed in, patenting and marketing thousands of campaign torches, lamps, and lanterns.

A new process for reproducing tintypes inexpensively gave Republicans another campaign tool – photographs of the candidates.

Just after Lincoln received the Republican nomination, Party officials sent Chicago photographer Alexander Hesler to make several election campaign photographs, including this one.

Campaign items featuring portraits of Lincoln helped him gain nationwide recognition.

These trinkets could be personal reminders of a citizen’s commitment to the Republican candidate.

Or, they could be worn or displayed as a public declaration of support for Lincoln.

Some enthusiastic Americans who felt a special connection to the candidate created their own campaign items.

This flag was handmade by Lucinda McGrath of Fayette County, Indiana. Her husband, John, carried it in parades supporting Lincoln and Hamlin.

Whether they dressed up to march in support of Lincoln or pocketed small tokens bearing his image, many fans of the Republican candidate became personally involved in his campaign.

Southerners feared Lincoln would end slavery everywhere. Soon after he was elected, southern states seceded from the Union one by one—forming their own government. The first Republican president in U.S. history would face endless crises and constant criticism.

This ballot was used during the convention that voted to secede the state of Georgia from the Union in 1861.

Republican leaders adopted a temporary name – the National Union Party – to gain the support of unionists and Democratic dissidents who would not vote for a Republican ticket.

Incumbent President Lincoln won his party’s 1864 nomination fairly easily. To attract wider support, the convention nominated former Democrat Andrew Johnson as his running mate.

McClellan had served as general-in-chief of the Union Army, but President Lincoln grew frustrated by what he considered to be slow and ineffective leadership. In November 1862, shortly after the meeting pictured here, Lincoln removed McClellan as general-in-chief.

Democratic campaign organizers targeted Lincoln, portraying him as a radicalized dictator. Referring to Lincoln as the “Old Joker,” McClellan’s supporters called the trustworthiness of “Honest Old Abe” into question.

The Democrats denounced the Civil War as a failure and claimed that Lincoln’s administration was purposely prolonging the conflict to force emancipation.

This cartoon predicted Democratic victory over the incumbent President, who dreams of being kicked out of the White House as McClellan enters.

Though Americans were increasingly becoming aware of abolitionist arguments, campaign organizers often focused on black Union soldiers rather than addressing broad racial concerns.

This striking cartoon predicts the results of each candidates’ election.

As in 1860, the party relied heavily on Lincoln’s image and distributed trinkets bearing the candidate’s portrait.

Many supporters carried campaign tokens in purses or pockets. This one could also be attached to a ribbon or pin, transforming it into an outward show of support.

Campaigners distributed favorable speeches, articles, and biographies across the nation to rally support for Lincoln.

They also organized barbecues, athletic events, fireworks, speeches, and – of course – torchlight parades.

Despite campaign efforts, President Lincoln's re-election hopes seemed slim after a gloomy summer of Union defeats and casualty lists. But, finally, news of several Union victories boosted public support.

This cartoon compares McClellan’s past military failings with the successes of Lincoln’s new general Ulysses S. Grant – depicted as a bull dog cornering the leaders of the Confederacy.

Campaigners had appealed to patriotic sentiment throughout the campaign. This timely call for support went out on Election Day – November 8, 1964.

When the votes were tallied, McClellan carried 3 states and secured 21 electoral votes.

Lincoln claimed 55% of the popular vote and earned 212 electoral votes to win by a landslide.