Few conventions have shown such depth of feeling.
Not only the delegates on the central platform, but even the
spectators seemed impressed with the fact that they were taking
part in a great historical event. The first two days were taken
up in seating delegates, adopting a "platform" or statement of
party principles, and in other necessary routine matters. On the
third day, however, it was certain that balloting would begin,
and crowds hurried to the Wigwam in a fever of curiosity. The New
York men, sure that Seward would be the choice of the convention,
marched there in a body, with music and banners. The friends of
Lincoln arrived before them, and while not making so much noise
or show, were doing good work for their favorite. The long
nominating speeches of later years had not then come into
fashion. "I take the liberty," simply said Mr. Evarts of New
York, "to name as a candidate to be nominated by this convention
for the office of President of the United States, William H.
Seward," and at Mr. Seward's name a burst of applause broke
forth, so long and loud that it seemed fairly to shake the great
building. Mr. Judd, of Illinois, performed the same office of
friendship for Mr. Lincoln, and the tremendous cheering that rose
from the throats of his friends echoed and dashed itself against
the sides of the Wigwam, died down, and began anew, until the
noise that had been made by Seward's admirers dwindled to
comparative feebleness.
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