The 1860 Republican National Convention nominated Lincoln , a moderate former Congressman from Illinois , as its standard-bearer . The Republican Party platform promised not to interfere with slavery in the states , but opposed the further extension of slavery into the territories . The first 1860 Democratic National Convention adjourned without agreeing on a nominee , but a second convention nominated Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois for president . Douglas 's support for the concept of popular sovereignty , which called for each individual territory to decide on the status of slavery , alienated many Southern Democrats . The Southern Democrats , with the support of President Buchanan , held their own convention and nominated Vice President John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky for president . The 1860 Constitutional Union Convention nominated a ticket led by former Senator John Bell of Tennessee
1860 Constitutional Union Convention
1860 Constitutional Union Convention
1860 United States presidential election