The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention That Changed History

When the Republican Convention opened in Chicago in May 1860, William Seward (1801–72), a politician against enslavement, appeared to be the presumptive nominee. However, cracks in Seward’s support quickly became apparent. Supporters of Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) saw an opportunity to get the little-known Illinois lawyer onto the ticket. Historian Achorn (Every Drop of Blood) details the raucous, exciting convention and the behind-the-scenes dealings that exemplified 19th-century conventions. Thousands of delegates crammed into a large wooden building built for the convention to hear speeches, bands, and to canvas and vote for their favored candidate. Future Supreme Court Justice and Lincoln advisor David Davis (1815–86), worked behind the scenes to pull enough votes away from Seward and other candidates in subsequent rounds of voting to secure Lincoln’s nomination, which happened on the third vote. Achorn dispels the myth that Lincoln forbade the exchange of patronage positions for votes by delegates. This detailed account of the convention takes the boisterous proceedings day-by-day, giving readers an in-depth look at the convention that nominated Lincoln.