residential election approached and the Republican party took
the field with an assurance of assuming the administration of the
Federal Government, and of meeting the weighty responsibility of the new
political basis, the question of candidates absorbed the attention of
the party, and attracted the interest of the whole country. When a new
dynasty is to be enthroned, the _personality_ of the ruler is an element
of the first importance. In the general judgment of the country, and
equally to the apprehension of the mass of his own party and of its
rival, Mr. Seward stood as the natural candidate, and upon manifold
considerations. His unquestioned abilities, his undoubted fidelity, his
vast services and wide following in the party, presented an
unprecedented combination of political strength to obtain the nomination
and carry the election, and of adequate faculties and authority with the
people for the prosperous administration of the presidential office.
Second only to Mr. Seward, in this general judgment of his countrymen,
stood Mr. Chase, with just enough of preference for him, in some
quarters, over Mr. Seward, upon limited and special considerations, to
encourage that darling expedient of our politics, a resort to a _third_
candidate. This recourse was had, and Mr. Lincoln was nominated and
elected.

The disclosure of Mr. Lincoln to the eyes of his countrymen as a
possible, probable, actual candidate for the presidency came upon them
with the suddenness and surprise of a revelation. His advent to power as
the ruler of a great people, in the supreme juncture of their affairs,
to be the head of the state among its tried and trusted statesmen, to
subordinate and cooerdinate the pride and ambition of leaders, the
passions and interests of the masses, and to guide the destinies of a
nation whose institutions were all framed for obedience to law and
perpetual domestic peace, through rebellion, revolt, and civil war; and
to the subversion of the very order of society of a vast territory and a
vast population, finds no parallel in history; and was a puzzle to all
the astrologers and soothsayers. It has been said of George III.--whose
narrow intellect and obstinate temper so greatly helped on the rebellion
of our ancestors to our independence--it has been said of George III.,
that "it was his misfortune that, intended by nature to be a farmer,
accident placed him on a throne." It was the happy fortune of the
American people, t