Of the
slave States, eleven chose Breckinridge electors, three of them Bell
electors, and one of them--Missouri--Douglas electors. As provided by
law, the electors met in their several States on December 5, to
officially cast their votes, and on February 13, 1861, Congress in joint
session of the two Houses made the official count as follows: for
Lincoln, one hundred and eighty; for Breckinridge, seventy-two; for
Bell, thirty-nine; and for Douglas, twelve; giving Lincoln a clear
majority of fifty-seven in the whole electoral college. Thereupon
Breckinridge, who presided over the joint session, officially declared
that Abraham Lincoln was duly elected President of the United States for
four years, beginning March 4, 1861.
XII
Lincoln's Cabinet Program--Members from the South--Questions and
Answers--Correspondence with Stephens--Action of Congress--Peace
Convention--Preparation of the Inaugural--Lincoln's Farewell
Address--The Journey to Washington--Lincoln's Midnight Journey
During the long presidential campaign of 1860, between the Chicago
convention in the middle of May and the election at the beginning of
November, Mr. Lincoln, relieved from all other duties, had watched
political developments with very close attention not merely to discern
the progress of his own chances, but, doubtless, also, much more
seriously to deliberate upon the future in case he should be elected.
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