[88] Published in Columbus, in 1860, for campaign purposes, from copies furnished by Lincoln; see his letter to Central Exec. Comm., December 19, 1859, on fly-leaf. [89] Many tributes have been paid to Douglas by writers who oppose his opinions; _e.g._, Arnold says: "There is, on the whole, hardly any greater personal triumph in the history of American politics than his reëlection," pp. 149, 150; Blaine, _Twenty Years of Congress_, i. 149. [90] See Lincoln's letter to Judd, quoted N. and H. ii. 167; also _Ibid._ 169. [91] Raymond, 76. [92] The Senate showed 14 Democrats, 11 Republicans; the House, 40 Democrats, 35 Republicans. [93] In September, 1859. These are included in the volume of _The Lincoln and Douglas Debates_, printed at Columbus, 1860. [94] _The Mirror_, quoted by Lamon, 442. CHAPTER VI ELECTION Mr. J.W. Fell, a leading citizen of Illinois, says that after the debates of 1858 he urged Lincoln to seek the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1860. Lincoln, however, replied curtly that men like Seward and Chase were entitled to take precedence, and that no such "good luck" was in store for him. In March, 1859, he wrote to another person: "In regard to the other matter that you speak of, I beg that you will not give it further mention. I do not think I am fit for the presidency." He said the same to the editor of the "Central Illinois Gazette;" but this gentleman "brought him out in the issue of May 4," and "thence the movement spread rapidly and strongly."[95] In the winter of 1859-60 sundry "intimate friends," active politicians of Illinois, pressed him to consent to be mentioned as a candidate. He considered the matter over night and then gave them the desired permission, at the same time saying that he would not accept the vice-presidency.