Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860 when Rector became the first governor from outside the Family. Although Arkansans were leery of Lincoln, they were unsure of Rector's position with regard to secession. Hindman, Johnson, and Edward Gantt continued to advocate the Southern rights cause along with those loyal to the Family. South Carolina voted to secede in December 1860, and Hindman called for a secession vote, a move backed by Rector. The governor also forced the surrender of the garrison in Little Rock after rumors of Lincoln reinforcing the outfit. A vote in February 1861 showed Arkansas in favor of a convention on secession but the elected delegates voted to remain in the Union. The convention was close but favored the Union, mirroring the demographics of Arkansas. Northwest Arkansas was mostly pro-Union and had a slight population majority, and the southeast primarily in favor of secession.