Again and again these contests of lungs
and enthusiasm were repeated as other names were presented to the
convention.
At last the voting began. Two names stood out beyond all the rest
on the very first ballot--Seward's and Lincoln's. The second
ballot showed that Seward had lost votes while Lincoln had gained
them. The third ballot was begun in almost painful suspense,
delegates and spectators keeping count upon their tally-sheets
with nervous fingers. It was found that Lincoln had gained still
more, and now only needed one and a half votes to receive the
nomination. Suddenly the Wigwam became as still as a church.
Everybody leaned forward to see who would break the spell. A man
sprang upon a chair and reported a change of four votes to
Lincoln. Then a teller shouted a name toward the skylight, and
the boom of a cannon from the roof announced the nomination and
started the cheering down the long Chicago streets; while inside
delegation after delegation changed its votes to the victor in a
whirlwind of hurrahs. That same afternoon the convention finished
its labors by nominating Hannibal Hamlin of Maine for
Vice-President, and adjourned--the delegates, speeding homeward
on the night trains, realizing by the bonfires and cheering
crowds at every little station that a memorable Presidential
campaign was already begun.
During this campaign there were, then, four Presidential
candidates in the field.
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