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. In the order of strength shown at the
election they were:

1. The Republican party, whose "platform," or statement of party
principles, declared that slavery was wrong, and that its further
spread should be prevented. Its candidates were Abraham Lincoln
of Illinois for President, and Hannibal Hamlin of Maine for
Vice-President.

2. The Douglas wing of the Democratic party, which declared that
it did not pretend to decide whether slavery was right or wrong,
and proposed to allow the people of each State and Territory to
choose for themselves whether they would or would not have it.
Its candidates were Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois for President,
and Herschel V. Johnson of Georgia for Vice-President.