Abraham Lincoln was "officially" elected on this date, as electors from the Electoral College gathered to cast their electoral votes. In the meeting of the Massachusetts electors, the chairman of the meeting assured those present that the President-elect would remain silent publicly until his inauguration: (from This Week in Georgia Civil War--December 5, 1860)
"His mouth will be shut with regard to the particular manner he may purpose to discharge the duties of his high office until he shall have taken the required oath, ...and he be able to speak as one having authority, and under official responsibility: and then the American people may expect to hear from him words of wisdom, moderation, firmness and prudence."
(Harold Holzer, Abraham Lincoln and the Great Secession Winter 1860-1861, Simon and Schuster, New York, 2008)
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