The "irrepressible conflict" announced by Mr.Seward at Rochester did not go so far as Mr.Lincoln's declaration at Springfield, that "the Union could not exist half slave, half free." Neither Mr.Seward nor Mr.Lincoln contemplated the destruction of the government, and yet thousands had been made to believe that Mr.Seward made the existence of the Union depend on the abolition of slavery.

Mr Lincoln had announced the same doctrine in advance of Mr.Seward, with a directness and bluntness which could not be found in the more polished phrase of the New-York senator.

Despite these facts, a large number of delegates from doubtful States--delegates who held the control of the convention -- supported Mr.Lincoln, on the distinct ground that the anti- slavery sentiment which they represented was not sufficiently radical to support the author of the speech in which had been proclaimed the doctrine of an "irrepressible conflict" between freedom and slavery.
In a final analysis of the causes and forces which nominated Mr.
Lincoln, great weight must be given to the influence which came from the place where the convention was held, and from the sympathy and pressure of the surrounding crowd.

Illinois Republicans, from Cairo to the Wisconsin line, were present in uncounted thousands.
The power of the mob in controlling public opinion is immeasurable.
In monarchical governments it has dethroned kings, and in republics it dictates candidates.

Had the conditions been changed and the National convention of the Republicans assembled in Albany, it is scarcely to be doubted that Mr.Seward would have been nominated.
It is quite certain that Mr.Lincoln would not have been nominated.
The great achievement at Chicago was the nomination of Mr.Lincoln without offending the supporters of Seward.