The Wisconsin magazine of history: Volume 5, number 1, September 1921

              historical fragments the chicago convention of 1860 the results of the work of the chicago convention of 1860 were undoubtedly more momentous than those of any other presi dential nominating convention in our history this fact affords justification if any be needed for printing the two fragments which follow charles c sholes author of the first was a promi nent pioneer editor and business man of wisconsin his letter taken from the manuscripts in the state historical library is chiefly interesting for the revelation it affords of the utter lack of realization by this exceedingly keen-minded and well-informed participant of the disunion and civil war which were to follow in the train of the presidential election of 1860 so little apparently did the impending event cast its shadow before ! it is said that but one member of the chicago convention of 1860 is still alive among the eyewitnesses of the gathering how ever was amherst w kellogg now a citizen of madison who has been a resident of wisconsin since 1836 his story of the event as retained in his memory supplements interestingly the contem porary narrative from the inside written by c c sholes to his friend senator doolittle kenosha may 21 1860 hon j r doolittle dear sir your letter of the 10th i found on my table after my return from the national convention at chicago the suggestions you make had occurred to my own mind : and although i felt compelled in convention as the representative of the sentiment of the people of this congressional district and the state to vote uniformly with my colleagues for w h seward i confess i had serious misgivings as to the entire safety of making this nomination these misgivings as the result shows were somewhat general i feel that wise counsels did prevail and that the man or men selected as our standard-bearers in the great contest now opening are more sure to lead us on to triumph than 99