Mr. Lincoln writes and delivers a lecture.--The Presidency.--Mr. Lincoln's "running qualities."--He thinks himself unfit.--Nominated by "Illinois Gazette."--Letter to Dr. Canisius.--Letter to Dr. Wallace on the protective tariff policy.--Mr. Lincoln in Ohio and Kansas.--A private meeting of his friends.--Permitted to use his name for the Presidency.--An invitation to speak in New York.--Choosing a subject.--Arrives in New York.--His embarrassments.--Speech in Cooper Institute.--Comments of the press.--He is charged with mercenary conduct.--Letter concerning the charge.--Visits New England.--Style and character of his speeches.--An amusing encounter with a clerical politician...421 CHAPTER XVIII. Meeting of the Republican State Convention.--Mr. Lincoln present.--John Hanks and the rails.--Mr. Lincoln's speech.--Meeting of the Republican National Convention at Chicago.--The platform.--Combinations to secure Mr. Lincoln's nomination.--The balloting.--Mr. Lincoln nominated.--Mr. Lincoln at Springfield waiting the results of the Convention.--How he received the news.--Enthusiasm at Springfield.--Official notification.--The "Constitutional Union" party.--The Democratic Conventions at Charleston and Baltimore.--The election.--The principle upon which Mr. Lincoln proposed to make appointments.--Mr. Stephens.--Mr. Gilmore.--Mr. Guthrie.--Mr. Seward.--Mr. Chase.--Mr. Bates.--The cases of Smith and Cameron.--Mr. Lincoln's visit to Chicago.--Mr. Lincoln's visit to his relatives in Coles County.--Apprehensions about assassination.--A visit from Hannah Armstrong... 444 CHAPTER XIX. Difficulties and peculiarities of Mr. Lincoln's position.--A general review of his character.--His personal appearance and habits.--His house and other property.--His domestic relations.--His morbid melancholy and superstition.--Illustrated by his literary tastes.--His humor.--His temperate habits and abstinence from sensual pleasures.--His ambition.--Use of politics for personal advancement.--Love of power and place.--Of justice.--Not a demagogue or a trimmer.--His religious views.--Attempt of the Rev. Mr. Smith to convert him.--Mr. Bateman's story as related by Dr. Holland.--Effect of his belief upon his mind and character...........466 CHAPTER XX. Departure of the Presidential party from Springfield.--Affecting address by Mr. Lincoln to his friends and neighbors.--His opinions concerning the approaching civil war.--Discovery of a supposed plot to murder him at Baltimore.--Governor Hicks's proposal to "kill Lincoln and his men."--The plan formed to defeat the conspiracy.--The midnight ride from Harrisburg to Washington.--Arrival in Washington.--Before the Inauguration.--Inauguration Day.--Inaugural Address.--Mr. Lincoln's Oath.--Mr. Lincoln President of the United States.--Mr. Buchanan bids him farewell............505 LIFE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. CHAPTER I.