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William Seward was the front runner when the Republicans met in Chicago in May of 1860, but Lincoln quickly pulled ahead and won the nomination on the third ballot. The Republican platform opposed slavery in the territories but upheld the right of slavery in the South. It also opposed the Dredd-Scott decision. The Democrats nominated Stephen Douglas and the Southern-Democrats who called themselves National Democrats nominated John Breckinridge. In addition, John Bell was nominated by the Constitutional Union party.
The Republicans were united behind Lincoln, while the opposition was divided by regions. Most of the campaign was implemented by the party organizations, with the candidates taking a very small active part. Stephen Douglas became the first presidential candidate in history to undertake a nationwide speaking tour. He traveled to the South where he did not expect to win many electoral votes, but he spoke for the maintenance of the Union. The contest was in effect two contests between Douglas and Lincoln in the North and West and between Brekinridge and Bell in the south. The Republicans ran a very vigorous campaign and then better organization won the day
Particpation of Eligible Voters: 81.2%
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