Nomination of President and Vice-President

June 17, 1864

Here is an account of the Convention at which Lincoln and Johnson were nominated, including the platform adopted.  It includes some references to the humor for which the President was known.   A delegate from South Carolina complains to him that, after coming so far to vote for him, their delegation had been left out in the cold.  Lincoln responded, “Never mind, you come from a hot State, and will soon  be all right.” In response to his nomination, Lincoln says, “I have not permitted myself, gentlemen, to conclude that I am the best man in the country; but I am reminded…of a story of an old Dutch farmer, who remarked to a companion that it was not best to swap horses when crossing a stream..”

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