We do not want to dissolve the Union; you shall not.
With three presidential tickets in the field--with the Democrats seeking the election of Buchanan and Breckinridge, the Americans, or Know-Nothings, asking votes for Fillmore and Donelson, and the Republicans making proselytes for Fremont and Dayton--the political campaign of 1856 was one of unabated activity and excitement.

In the State of Illinois the contest resulted in a drawn battle.

The American party held together with tolerable firmness in its vote for President, but was largely disintegrated in its vote on the ticket for State officers.

The consequence was that Illinois gave a plurality of 9164 for Buchanan, the Democratic candidate for President, while at the same time it gave a plurality of 4729 for Bissell, the Republican candidate for Governor.[5] Half victory as it was, it furnished the Illinois Republicans a substantial hope of the full triumph which they achieved four years later.

About a month after this election, at a Republican banquet given in Chicago on the 10th of December, 1856, Abraham Lincoln spoke as follows, partly in criticism of the last annual message of President Pierce, but more especially pointing out the rising star of promise: We have another annual presidential message.