Conversation so far:
What convention was covered in the article on William H. Seward?
Entering the 1860 convention, Senator William H. Seward of New York was generally regarded as the front-runner.
How did the 1860 Republican National Convention go for William H. Seward?
Lincoln clinched the nomination on the third ballot after consolidating support from more delegates who had backed candidates other than Seward.
Why was William H. Seward the favorite for the Republican Party's nomination for president in 1860?
It would take 233 delegate votes to win the nomination, and Seward had nearly a third of that in the New York delegation alone.
Who else was up for nomination at the 1860 Republican National Convention?
Abraham Lincoln, Governor Salmon P. Chase of Ohio, former Representative Edward Bates of Missouri, and Senator Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania all commanded support from a significant share of delegates.

Question: What was the importance of the convention?
Self-contained rewrite: What was the importance of the 1860 Republican National Convention?