After the vote, in which the Republican candidate, former Illinois representative Abraham Lincoln was elected, many sought out Fillmore's views but he refused to take any part in the secession crisis that followed, feeling that he lacked influence.
După alegeri, în care a fost ales candidatul republican, fostul reprezentant al Illinoisului, Abraham Lincoln, mulți au așteptat opiniile lui Fillmore, dar el a refuzat să ia parte la criza de secesiune care a urmat, simțindu-se lipsa de influență.