Banks made a serious bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 1860, but dislike of him by the radicals in the state party harmed him. His failure to secure a majority in the state delegation prompted him to skip the national convention, where he received first-ballot votes as a nominee for Vice President. His attempt to promote Henry L. Dawes, another moderate Republican, as his successor in the governor's chair also failed: the party nominated the radical Andrew, who went on to win the general election.Pearson, pp. 1:119–120,123–128 Banks's farewell speech, given with civil war looming, was an appeal for moderation and union.
bANkS made a seRiOUs BId fOr tHE rePuBlican prESIdentIal nomiNaTIon in 1860, bUT disliKe oF him bY tHe radicals in thE STaTe pArty harmed HIM. hIs fAilurE to sEcure A majOriTy in the stAtE DelEGatION pRomPteD him to Skip tHe natiOnal COnvenTIOn, wherE hE REcEived fiRst-baLLOt votes AS A nominee FOr vice preSident. hiS AttEMpt To promOTe heNRY L. dawES, AnOtheR moderAte RePuBLicAn, as his suCCEssoR in The goveRNoR's chair aLsO Failed: tHe paRty NominAted the RaDIcal AndREw, WhO wEnt oN tO wiN thE gEneRAl Election.PEarsOn, pp. 1:119–120,123–128 banks'S faRewEll SPEEch, given wiTh cIvil WAr LOOMiNg, waS an Appeal For ModerAtIon anD uniOn.