Lincoln won the presidency in 1860 largely over the issue of slavery’s expansion.
“There never has been an election which has so directly involved the great principles of Eternal Justice, and the righteous policy of a Free Government, as this recent November election. What the voters did then must remain a matter of his- tory for all future years of this Republic. As we doubt not, the vote was for Freedom, that has become a turning point in our nation’s history.”
— Bloomington's Pantagraph, On Lincoln's Election Victory November 7, 1860
Lincoln and Hamlin Campaign Tokens, circa 1860
Two small gold-colored tokens, with black and white photos of Lincoln and Hamlin in the center.
Donated by: Mrs. E. James and Lincoln Weldon816.1048
Through the dark years of the Civil War, Lincoln kept in contact with many McLean County friends — through appointments, letters, and White House visits.
When Lincoln’s friend Colonel William McCullough of Bloomington was killed in the Civil War, Lincoln wrote a fatherly letter to McCullough’s daughter Fanny.
During Lincoln’s four-plus years in the White House, Leonard Swett spent about half his time lobbying for the President, or on special assignment for him.
In the fall of 1861, for instance, Swett headed to Missouri to deliver the controversial order dismissing Union General John C. Fremont.
Bloomington Weekly Pantagraph, November 6, 1861
In 1862 Swett and others from the Eighth Circuit successfully pressured Lincoln to appoint Judge David Davis to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Davis left the Supreme Court in 1877 to serve in the U.S. Senate, where he remained until 1883.
Judge David Davis.
Davis’ Calling Card Case, circa 1870
94.3.399.1
McLean County residents followed the ups and downs of Lincoln’s presidency and the Union war effort in The Pantagraph, Bloomington’s leading newspaper.
Jubilation followed news of the war's certain end, but that joy was short-lived.
The Pantagraph received its first news of Lincoln’s assassination on the morning of Saturday, April 15, 1865. A hastily printed “extra” was on Bloomington streets by 9 a.m.
McLean County residents felt a profound loss. They responded to the news of Lincoln’s assassination with both sorrow and anger.
“Men wept in the streets and women and children sobbed as though they had lost a father or brother, or member of the family.”— Bloomington PantagraphApril 18, 1865
On Sunday, April 16, 1865, 5,000-plus area residents gathered on the Courthouse Square to mourn Lincoln. Indignation (meaning righteous anger) meetings such as this were held throughout the North.
Mourning Badge, circa 1865
William Schmidt, a Bloomington grocer who immigrated from Germany, wore this mourning badge at Lincoln's funeral.
Donated by: H. Schmidt816.980
Members of Bloomington's fire companies, No.1 and No. 2, wore special mourning ribbons.
Mourning Ribbons, circa 1865
846.1361 816.1047
Mourning Ribbon, circa 1865
With brass-framed portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
816.982