1860, Election.

[Christian1863]

Who would you vote for in the 1860 election?

 

[bamaman]

Who would you vote for in the 1860 election?

Lincoln

 

[unionblue]

Who would you vote for in the 1860 election?

@christian1863 ,

You might want to try the search function on this forum, as I do believe this question has been asked and answered before.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[Christian1863]

@christian1863 ,

You might want to try the search function on this forum, as I do believe this question has been asked and answered before.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

Yeah I know but some peoples opinions may have changed and I wanted to see.

 

[breckod]

From the previous thread, the pattern was that second to Lincoln, a lot of people here liked Breckinridge but wouldn't say why. Can't imagine why that's the case.

For myself, Lincoln.

 

[John Winn]

Who I would vote for if I were the same me that I am today is a different question that who I likely would have voted for if I grew up in the nineteenth (or eighteenth) century. Who one might have voted for would have been dependent on things like where one lived, if one was an immigrant or native-born, how one made one's living.

Were I today's me I'd vote for Lincoln (but then I'd also know the future). Were I a nineteenth-century product I think I'd probably have voted for Douglas.

 

[breckod]

Who I would vote for if I were the same me that I am today is a different question that who I likely would have voted for if I grew up in the nineteenth (or eighteenth) century. Who one might have voted for would have been dependent on things like where one lived, if one was an immigrant or native-born, how one made one's living.

Were I today's me I'd vote for Lincoln (but then I'd also know the future). Were I a nineteenth-century product I think I'd probably have voted for Douglas.

Sure, but if someone wanted to ask "who would/did your ancestors at the time vote for", or "what would an entirely different person that we are calling "you" for the purpose of this conversation have done", I'm operating on the premise that they would have said that's what they're asking.

 

[John Winn]

Sure, but if someone wanted to ask "who would/did your ancestors at the time vote for", or "what would an entirely different person that we are calling "you" for the purpose of this conversation have done", I'm operating on the premise that they would have said that's what they're asking.

But if the question really is "if you could go back and vote who would you vote for" then I'd know things 'they' didn't know and would have an entirely different world view. That's like asking 'If those men were running for president today who'd you vote for.' I'd not vote for any of them because they'd be completely out of touch with the present reality. Going back to vote is one of those 'if you could go back and do this or that to change how things happened would you do it' kinds of questions. If you think about that, if you changed how things happened then what you are trying to change wouldn't have happened so it doesn't make any sense.

I'm sticking with Douglas.

 

[OpnCoronet]

I think to have a rational and reasonable discussion on such a question, we have to assume some parameters concerning the question of the OP.


My ancestors were German immigrants during the 1850's and settling in Mo. So, IMO, I think it logical to assume it would be reasonable to assume I would have voted for Lincoln.

 

[LCYingling3rd]

Of the various political platforms of 1860, I most agree with the Republican platform. I also like that, of the four frontrunning Republican candidates proposed (Seward, Chase, Lincoln, & Bates), I believe Lincoln was relatively balanced and moderate. I also would have supported Lincoln because I would have attended his February 27, 1860 Cooper Institute speech in New York and would have been inspired!!! LMAO... As I am by it today!

Oh, so Lincoln is my answer...

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

In my home county only one person voted for Mr. Lincoln, which was such a big deal that 100 years later the state put a roadside plaque up stating that fact. It must have been difficult to vote then, knowing all your neighbors were going to know what choice you made. For my part, after careful consideration of all the issues, I'm very glad he won.

 

[TallTallMan]

Who would you vote for in the 1860 election?

No introduction needed.

 

[archieclement]

I think to have a rational and reasonable discussion on such a question, we have to assume some parameters concerning the question of the OP.


My ancestors were German immigrants during the 1850's and settling in Mo. So, IMO, I think it logical to assume it would be reasonable to assume I would have voted for Lincoln.

Missouri went Douglas, I would imagine some Germans voted Douglas as well for Lincoln.

Edit I looked at neighboring county that had a German community, and majority went of that county went to Bell. Lincoln got 90 of around 1500 votes. But wasn't broke down by township. For comparison Bell 702, Douglas 476, Breckenridge 293.

 

[Ashintully57]

John Bell as he was for Union without the Radical Republican slant.

 

[breckod]

John Bell as he was for Union without the Radical Republican slant.

Not so much for the Union, as it turned out...

 

[dlofting]

If I lived in the north I probably would have opposed slavery, but not actively as an abolitionist so would have voted for Douglas.

If I lived in the south I probably would have seen slavery as a necessary evil so would have voted for Breckinridge.

 

[Pollaco]

It depends how old I am in 1860. Young people tend to vote with the heart and as you mature you just might see things differently .

 

[breckod]

If I lived in the north I probably would have opposed slavery, but not actively as an abolitionist so would have voted for Douglas.

If I lived in the south I probably would have seen slavery as a necessary evil so would have voted for Breckinridge.

The Republican Party's largest constituency was anti-slavery voters who weren't abolitionists.

 

[Ashintully57]

I am speaking of his platform and not his subsequent career. We as American voters are quite often surprised and the reversal of platform positions of our candidates and their actual performance.