The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

18 1/4 x 11 3/4 in. printed broadside.

"GREAT ENTHUSIASM PREVAILS!"

In part: "We have only space to state that the Convention nominated Mr. Lincoln, yesterday (Friday) noon, by an unanimous vote, and Mr. Hamlin was nominated last night. One hundred guns were fired last night from the roof of the Tremont House. Great enthusiasm prevails."

The Republican National Convention took place in Chicago from 16-18 May 1860. As tradition dictated that potential candidates could not actively campaign for the office, Lincoln tapped allies for their assistance in securing the nomination, among them future Illinois governor Richard Oglesby, who secured several fence rails from Lincoln's childhood home and paraded them around the convention with a banner proclaiming Lincoln as "The Rail Candidate." He was also instrumental in selecting Chicago as the venue for the Republican National Convention, believing it would give him a home-court advantage. And finally, Lincoln himself selected four at-large delegates, though he had no control over the rest. He eventually won the nomination on the third ballot.

[With]: To the Delegates of the Republican Convention. [Springfield.: N.p.], 19 April 1860. 10 3/4 x 8 1/2 in. printed broadside in two columns. (Old folds).