The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 65, July 1961 - April, 1962 Page: 485
663 p. : ill., maps (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
I86o Republican National Convention
me to report that Texas be allowed six votes in this convention. [Tre-
mendous cries of good and applause]. It was proved before the com-
mittee that the convention which elected the delegates from Texas-
resident delegates who are here in attendance, was a mass convention;
that it was called upon petition signed by some three hundred of the
legal voters of Texas [Applause]. That the call was published in some
two of the German newspapers published in the state; that written
notices and advertisements were posted up in various parts of the
state, where there is any number of people in favor of the principles
of the Republican party,1" and the committee are almost unanimously
of the opinion that these delegates, elected under these circumstances,
are fairly entitled to act as representatives of the State of Texas.19
Under the convention rules, Texas normally would have been
entitled to eight votes. Because only six delegates were present
claiming to represent the state, an amendment to the rules was
adopted allowing Texas only that number.20
After the protracted debate on the question of seating the Texas
delegation, the remainder of the second day was taken up with
the adoption of the platform.21 Actual balloting for a national
ticket came the third day. On the first ballot, Texas cast four votes
for William H. Seward of New York and two votes for Edward
Bates of Missouri. According to anti-Seward forces, the Texas
delegation deliberately split its vote on the first ballot so that the
balance going to Seward's support on the second would make it
appear that he was gaining in strength.22 This appears to have been
a part of the over-all strategy employed by the Seward forces to
secure his nomination. The leaders on the first ballot were Seward
with 1481/ votes and Lincoln with 102.23
On the second and third ballots Texas cast all six votes for
Seward. After the third ballot Lincoln stood within one and one-
half votes of the nomination. Ohio quickly shifted four votes from
Chase to him, giving him the nomination, and then state after
state changed its vote to him amid a great cheering and enthusi-
1sInvestigation by the writer has failed to reveal any information to support this.
lsRepublican Proceedings, 125-126.
2olbid., 126.
21lbid., 148.
22New York Tribune, May 22, 1860; Frederick Bancroft, The Life of William
Seward (2 vols.; New York, 1900), II, 532.
23Republican Proceedings, 151.485
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 65, July 1961 - April, 1962, periodical, 1962; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101195/m1/543/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.