Then came the nominations. The only delay in registering the will of the
convention occurred as a consequence of the attempt of members to do it
by irregular and summary methods. When Mr. Delano of Ohio made the
customary motion to proceed to the nomination, Simon Cameron moved as a
substitute the renomination of Lincoln and Hamlin by acclamation. A long
wrangle ensued on the motion to lay this substitute on the table, which
was finally brought to an end by the cooler heads, who desired that
whatever opposition to Mr. Lincoln there might be in the convention
should have fullest opportunity of expression. The nominations,
therefore, proceeded by call of States in the usual way. The
interminable nominating speeches of recent years had not yet come into
fashion. B.C. Cook, the chairman of the Illinois delegation, merely
said:
"The State of Illinois again presents to the loyal people of this nation
for President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln--God bless him!"
Others, who seconded the nomination, were equally brief. Every State
gave its undivided vote for Lincoln, with the exception of Missouri,
which cast its vote, under positive instructions, as the chairman
stated, for Grant. But before the result was announced, John F. Hume of
Missouri moved that Mr. Lincoln's nomination be declared unanimous.
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