Lincoln’s quietness during the election and its immediate aftermath was usual in his day. Senator Douglas broke tradition during the 1860 presidential canvas by personally campaigning throughout the country, but the norm was for the candidate to remain at home and silent. A party’s platform and the candidate’s surrogates did the talking. Even after his victory Lincoln has said very little about his intended policies – instead he has referred questioners to his past speeches.
The Civil War Daily Gazette reported on Lincoln’s last day in Chicago on November 25, 1860. Lincoln visited Dwight Moody’s Sunday School. Mr. Moody got Lincoln to say a few words. Lincoln told the children that if they cooperated with their teachers they might grow up to be president.
The New-York Times (via the Chicago Tribune) reported on further details of Lincoln’s stay in Chicago (The New-York Times, November 29, 1860):
Mr. Lincoln at Chicago.
The Chicago Tribune relates some incidents of Mr. LINCOLN’S visit to that city. It says:
“Mr. LINCOLN returns to Springfield, and Mr. HAMLIN goes immediately East from this city. Several interesting incidents are related of the reception. Mr. LINCOLN being a very tall man, generally had to stoop some to reach the level of those who came to congratulate him, and saluting all, as he did, with both hands, the labor performed by the President elect much resembled the traditionary ‘man-a-mowing.’ At least, it was severe. In the crowd were several short persons. It was refreshing to observe the pleasure experienced by Mr. LINCOLN when he took a man by the hand somewhere nigh his own stature. One of these persons came after a long row of undersized ones. Mr. LINCOLN raised his hands in well-affected astonishment, and exclaimed: ‘You are up, some!” This was accompanied by a look that created much merriment. That tall man, for once in his life, was duly appreciated.
In the crowd was a little boy, some four years of age, and his mother. The child was boiling over with enthusiasm, his cheeks glowed with pride, and he could not contain his feelings, so he cried out, “Hurray for Uncle ABE!” Mr. LINCOLN heard it, and the youthful Republican was treated to a “tossing up” towards the ceiling, which tickled him and the visitors hugely, and will be remembered through life by the boy.
Lincoln’s still not saying much on policy, but we’re getting some glimpses of Lincoln as a politician mingling with people in his role as President-elect.
