one of the books from which they sang.  He began to read a piece with all the earnestness of his great, earnest soul.  In the middle of the second verse his friend ‘Jim’ felt a choking in his throat and a tickling in his nose.  At the beginning of the third verse he saw that the stranger was weeping, and his own tears fell fast.  Turning toward Lincoln, who was reading straight on, he saw the great blinding tears in his eyes, so that he could not possibly see the pages.  He was repeating that little song from memory.  How often he had read it, or how long its sweet and simple accents continued to reverberate through his soul, no one can know.”

CHAPTER XIII

Looking Towards the Presidency—­The Illinois Republican Convention of 1860—­A “Send-Off” for Lincoln—­The National Republican Convention at Chicago—­Contract of the Leading Candidates—­Lincoln Nominated—­Scenes at the Convention—­Sketches by Eye-Witnesses—­Lincoln Hearing the News—­The Scene at Springfield—­A Visit to Lincoln at His Home—­Recollections of a Distinguished Sculptor—­Receiving the Committee of the Convention—­Nomination of Douglas—­Campaign of 1860—­Various Campaign Reminiscences—­Lincoln and the Tall Southerner—­The Vote of the Springfield Clergy—­A Graceful Letter to the Poet Bryant—­“Looking up Hard Spots.”

In the latter part of the year 1859, after Lincoln had gained considerable national prominence through events already briefly narrated, some of his friends began to consider the expediency of bringing him forward as a candidate for the Presidency in 1860.  The young Republican party had thus far been in the minority, and the necessity was generally felt of nominating a man who would not render himself objectionable by advocating extreme or unpopular measures.  The subject was mentioned to Lincoln, but he seems not to have taken it very seriously.  He said that there were distinguished men in the party who were more worthy of the nomination, and whose public services entitled them to it.  Toward spring in 1860 Lincoln consented to a conference on the subject with some of his more intimate friends.  The meeting took place in a committee-room in the State House.  Mr. Bushnell, Mr. Hatch (then Secretary of State), Mr. Judd (Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee), Mr. Peck, and Mr. Grimshaw were present.  They were unanimous in opinion as to the expediency and propriety of making Lincoln a candidate.  But he was still reluctant; he doubted that he could get the nomination even if he wished it, and asked until the next morning to consider the matter.  The next day he authorized his friends to work for him, if they so desired, as a candidate for the Presidency, at the National Republican convention to be held in May at Chicago.

It is evident that while Lincoln had no serious expectation of receiving the nomination, yet having consented to become a candidate he was by no means indifferent on the subject.  The following confidential letter to his friend N.B.  Judd shows his feelings at this time.