et, and by this action these three Douglas
electors received a majority vote in New Jersey, On the whole, however,
the fusion movement proved ineffectual to defeat Lincoln and, indeed, it
would not have done so even had the fusion electoral tickets deceived a
majority in all three of the above-named States.

The personal habits and surroundings of Mr. Lincoln were varied
somewhat, though but slightly, during the whole of this election summer.
Naturally, he withdrew at once from active work, leaving his law office
and his whole law business to his partner, William H. Herndon; while his
friends installed him in the governor's room in the State House at
Springfield, which was not otherwise needed during the absence of the
legislature. Here he spent the time during the usual business hours of
the day, attended only by his private secretary, Mr. Nicolay. Friends
and strangers alike were thus able to visit him freely and without
ceremony and they availed themselves largely of the opportunity. Few, if
any, went away without being favorably impressed by his hearty Western
greeting, and the frank sincerity of his manner and conversation, in
which, naturally, all subjects of controversy were courteously and
instinctively avoided by both the candidate and his visitors.

By none was this free, neighborly intercourse enjoyed more than by the
old-time settlers of Sangamon and the adjoining counties, who came to
revive the incidents and memories of pioneer days with one who could
give them such thorough and appreciative interest and sympathy. He
employed no literary bureau, wrote no public letters, made no set or
impromptu speeches, except that once or twice during great political
meetings at Springfield he uttered a few words of greeting and thanks to
passing street processions. All these devices of propagandism he left to
the leaders and committees of his adherents in their several States.
Even the strictly confidential letters in which he indicated his advice
on points in the progress of the campaign did not exceed a dozen in
number; and when politicians came to interview him at Springfield, he
received them in the privacy of his own home, and generally their
presence created little or no public notice. Cautious politician as he
was, he did not permit himself to indulge in any over-confidence, but
then, as always before, showed unusual skill in estimating political
chances. Thus he wrote about a week after the Chicago convention: