CHAPTER XVIII.

Meeting of the Republican State Convention.--Mr. Lincoln present.--John Hanks and the rails.--Mr. Lincoln's speech.--Meeting of the Republican National Convention at Chicago.--The platform.--Combinations to secure Mr. Lincoln's nomination.--The balloting.--Mr. Lincoln nominated.--Mr. Lincoln at Springfield waiting the results of the Convention.--How he received the news.--Enthusiasm at Springfield.--Official notification.--The "Constitutional Union" party.--The Democratic Conventions at Charleston and Baltimore.--The election.--The principle upon which Mr. Lincoln proposed to make appointments.--Mr. Stephens.--Mr. Gilmore.--Mr. Guthrie.--Mr. Seward.--Mr. Chase.--Mr. Bates.--The cases of Smith and Cameron.--Mr. Lincoln's visit to Chicago.--Mr. Lincoln's visit to his relatives in Coles County.--Apprehensions about assassination.--A visit from Hannah Armstrong... 444