MR. LINCOLN AT PHILADELPHIA. 385 At Philadelphia. At Philadelphia nation, and the liberty of these | Independence. I have often inStates and these people. Your quired of myself what great worthy Mayor has expressed principle or idea it was that the wish, in which I join with him, that it were con- kept this Confederacy so long together. It was not venient for me to remain with your city long enough the mere matter of the separation of the Colonies from to consult your merchants and manufacturers; or, as the mother land; but that sentiment in the Declarait were, to listen to those breathings rising within tion of Independence which gave liberty, not alone the consecrated walls wherein the Constitution of to the people of this country, but, I hope, to the the United States, and, I will add, the Declaration world for all future time. ]Cheers.] It was that which of Independence, were originally framed and adopt- gave promise that in due time the weight would be ed. [Enthusiastic applause.] I assure you, and lifted from the shoulders of all men. This is a sentiyour Mayor, that I had hoped on this occasion, and ment embodied in the Declaration of Independence. upon all occasions during my life, that I shall do Now, my friends, can this country be saved upon nothing inconsistent with the teachings of these holy this basis? If it can, I will consider myself one of and most sacred walls. I never asked anything that the happiest men in the world if I can help to save does not breathe from those walls. All my political it. If it cannot be saved upon that principle, it will warfare has been in favor of the teachings that be truly awful. But if this country cannot be saved come forth from these sacred walls. May my right without giving up that principle, I was about to say hand forget its cunning, and my tongue cleave to I would rather be assassinated on this spot than surthe roof of my mouth, if ever I prove false to those render it. Now, in my view of the present aspect teachings. Fellow-citizens, now allow me to bid of affairs, there need be no bloodshed or war. you good-night." There is no necessity for it. I am not in favor of such a course, and I may say, in advance, that there will be no blood shed unless it be forced upon the Government, and then it will be compelled to act in self-defence. A levee was held in the evening, at which the crowd was excessive. On the morning of Friday, the President attended upon the ceremony of a flag-raising over the old "Hall of Independence." At an early hour the entire vicinity was crowded. At seven o'clock the President was escorted to the Hall, where he was received by Theodore L. Cuyler, who warmly welcomed him to its venerable walls in the hour of national peril and distress, when the great work achieved by the wisdom and patriotism of our fathers seemed threatened with instant ruin. Mr. Lincoln responded as follows: "MR. CUYLER-I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing here, in this place, where were collected the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions under which we live. You have kindly suggested to me that in my hands is the task of restoring peace to the present distracted condition of the country. I can say in return, sir, that all the political sentiments I entertain have been drawn, so far as I have been able to draw them, from the sentiments which originated and were given to the world from this hall. I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence. I have often pondered over the dangers which were incurred by the men who assembled here, and framed and adopted that Declaration of Independence. I have pondered over the toils that were endured by the officers and soldiers of the army who achieved that "My friends, this is wholly an unexpected speech, and I did not expect to be called upon to say a word when I came here. I supposed it was merely to do something towards raising the flag. I may, therefore, have said something indiscreet. [Cries of No, no.'] I have said nothing but what I am willing to live by, and, if it be the pleasure of Almighty God, to die by." Great excitement followed this heart-expression of the President. Its ardor touched all hearts, and cheer upon cheer followed. The ceremony of the flag-raising followed. Proceeding to the platform erected in front of the State-House, he appeared to the multitude, to be welcomed with deafening cheers. The President was invited, in a short and appropriate speech, made by a member of the Select Council, to raise the flag. The occasion again awakened the spirit of 76. He was grateful for such an occasion the original flag of thirteen stars, saying that to honor his country's flag. He alluded to the number had increased as time rolled on, and we became a happy, powerful people, each star adding to its prosperity. The future is in the hands of the people. It was on such an occasion we could reason together, reaffirm our devotion to the country, and the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Let us make up our minds that whenever we do put a new star upon our banner, it shall be a fixed one, never to be dimmed by the horrors of war, but brightened by the contentment and prosperity of peace. Let us go on to extend the area of our usefulness, add star upon star, until their light shall shine over five hundred millions of a free and happy people. This fine sentiment called forth a tremendous outburst of applause. The President then threw off his over-coat in a manner which so indubitably indicated his early education to hard work, as to create much pleasant remark. A prayer was then offered, a gun was fired, when, hand over hand, the President raised the National ensign to the staff-the new ensign of thirty four Stars. The vast audience shouted its gratification until very hoarseness induced silence. At Harrisburg. At At half-past nine the onward journey was resumed. Under an escort of the State Legislative Committee, he visited Harrisburg, accompanied also by a large number of the most eminent men of the State. various places along the route demonstrations were made, and brief speeches were returned. At Harrisburg the reception was unusually imposing. The town was gayly decorated with American flags, guns were fired, and every manifestation of pleasure exhibited. The President was escorted by Governor Curtin to the hotel in a barouche drawn by six white horses, accompanied also by a fine military garde de corps. Arriving at the hotel, from its balcony he was publicly welcomed to the Capital by the Governor in a very cordial and personal manner, to which Mr. Lincoln responded, reciprocating the feelings expressed, of anxiety for the country, trusting that a resort to arms never would become necessary. In his efforts to avert that unspeakable calamity, the people must sustain him. He brought to the responsibilities of his peculiar trusts an earnest heart and willing hands, and if he failed it should be from no lack of exertion on his own part. At the Legislative Halls he was thus addressed by the Speaker of the Senate: At Harrisburg. "HONORED SIR-In behalf of the Senate of Pennsylvania, I welcome you to the Capitol of the State. We deem it a peculiar privilege, and a happy omen, that while on the way to assume the duties of the high office to which you have been called at this momentous period of our national history, we are favored by your presence at the seat of our Gov Father of his Country. The people of Pennsylvania, ernment on the anniversary of the birth-day of the upon whom rests so large a share of the respousi bility of your nomination and election to the Presidency, appreciate the magnitude of the task before you, and are fully prepared to sustain your administration according to the Constitution and the laws. Whatever differences of opinion existed prior to the election as to the political questions involved in the canvass, they, as law-abiding, Constitution, Unionloving people, have no differences now. There is no difference among them as to your right to claim their Here, to-day, are assembled men of all parties and duty, and they will render you support accordingly. shades of opinion to welcome and honor the Constitutionally-chosen President of the Union. Nor have we viewed with indifference the recent public expressions of your views on a subject closely affecting the material interests of Pennsylvania, that it is not only right, but the duty of the Government, while providing for revenue by a tariff, so to regulate the duties as will afford protection to the industrial interests of the country. Your recent expressions, therefore, as to the true policy of the Government, have afforded profound satisfaction. Deeply im pressed with the honor of your visit at this interesting time, we pray God that you, whom the people have elevated to the chair of Washington, and to whom they have largely confided their highest interests, hopeful of beneficent results from wise and just measures, may not disappoint them; and they trust that such will signalize your administra tion." On the part of the House, its Speaker extended the hand in a heartfelt welcome, pledging the devotion of Pennsylvania to the Union, the Constitution, and the laws. Pennsylvania, though always ready for peace, stands ready to pledge both men and money to sustain the Government, if need be, to enforce the laws. In conclusion, he said the people had only one wish, one prayer, and that was for the success of the Administra tion of Abraham Lincoln, and the mainten ance of the Union. To these significant addresses Mr. Lincoln responded: At Harrisburg. "I appear before you only for a very few brief remarks, in response to what has been said to me. I thank you most sincerely for this reception, and the generous words in which support has been promised me upon this occasion. I thank your great Commonwealth for the overwhelming support it recently gave, not to me personally, but the cause, which I think a just one, in the late election. Allusion has been made to the fact-the interesting fact, perhaps we should say that I, for the first time, appear at the Capital of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania upon the birthday of the Father of his Country, in connection with that beloved anniversary connected with the history of this country. I have already gone through one exceedingly interesting scene this morning in the ceremonies at Philedelphia. Under the high conduct of gentlemen there, I was, for the first time, allowed the privilege of standing in Old Independence Hall [enthusiastic cheering,] to have a few words addressed to me there, and opening up to me an opportunity of expressing, with much regret, that I had not more time to express something of my own feelings, excited by the occasion, somewhat to harmonize and give shape to the feelings that had been really the feelings of my whole life. Besides this, our friends there had provided a magnificent flag of the country. They had arranged it so that I was given the honor of raising it to the head of its staff. And when it went up I was pleased that it went to its place by the strength of my own feeble arm; when, according to the arrangement, the cord was pulled, and it flaunted gloriously to the wind without an accident, in the bright glowing sunshine of the morning, I could not help hoping that there was in the entire success of that beautiful ceremony at least something of an omen of what is to come. Nor could I help feeling then, as I often have felt, in the whole of that proceeding, I was a very humble instrument. I had not provided the flag, I had not made the arrangements for elevating it to its place. I had applied but a very small portion of my feeble strength in raising it. In the whole transaction I was in the hands of the people who had arranged it, and if I can have the same generous-cooperation of the people of the nation, I think the flag of our country may yet be kept flaunting gloriously. [Loud, enthusiastic, and continued cheering.] I recur for a moment but to repeat some words ut tered at the hotel in regard to what has been said about the military support which the General Government may expect from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in a proper emergency. To guard against any possible mistake do I recur to this. It is not with any pleasure that I contemplate the possibility that a necessity may arise in this country for the use of the military arm. While I am exceedingly gratified to see the manifestation upon your streets of your military force here, and exceedingly gratified at your promise here to use that force upon a proper emergency-while I make these acknowledgments, I desire to repeat, in order to preclude any possible misconstruction, that I do most sincerely hope that we shall have no use for them; that it will never become their duty to shed blood, and most especially never to shed fraternal blood. I promise that, so far as I may have wisdom to direct, if so painful a result shall in any wise be brought about, it shall be through no fault of mine. Allusion has also been made by one of your honored speakers to some remark recently made by myself at Pittsburg, in regard to what is supposed to be the especial interests of this great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I now wish only to say in regard to that matter, that the few remarks which I uttered on that occasion were rather carefully worded. I took pains that they should be so. I have seen no occasion since to add to them or subtract from them. I leave them precisely as they stand, adding only now, that I am pleased to have an expression from you, gentlemen of Pennsylvania, significant that they are satisfactory to you. And now, gentlemen of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, allow me to return you again my most sincere thanks." The Hegira. The afternoon was spent in the usual reception, in which all classes of citizens mingled. Retiring, at six o'clock, to his private apartment, the President-elect was soon on a special train, disguised in a Scotch plaid cap and cloak, en route for Washington, where he arrived safely Saturday morning, to be received at the depot by a few friends who were in the secret of his unceremonious movement. This "flight by night, at the time, created a most remarkable excitement, even for a people accustomed to surprises; and the various stories afloat as to the cause-the widely differing opinions as to the judiciousness of the step-the sarcasm and joke which grew out of it at the President's expense, served for a seven days' wonder. Without recurring to the many inventions of the reporters and letter-writers, we may simply state that the step was taken by advice of General Scott and Mr. Seward. Baltimore had resolved to receive the President The Hegira. The Hegira. courteously; but it was as- | thronged-all anxious for a certained that some of the word with him who was to most vicious elements of direct the destiny of the Rethat turbulent city had been incited by unprin- public, for good or for evil. But he remained cipled men to raise a mob on the occasion of in private to all visitors. At eleven o'clock, in his appearance at once endangering life and company with Mr. Seward, he called upon the city's honor. To avoid this, and frustrate Mr. Buchanan. The surprise of the occupant whatever plans for mischief might have been of the White House was great; but he gave matured, were the secret of that precipitate his successor a very cordial greeting. The movement. There was neither courage nor a Cabinet being in session, Mr. Lincoln passed want of it shown in the step. It was one of pru- into its chamber, to the surprise and the dedence merely; and, though a large portion light of its members. A call was made upon of the public, at the time, thought the Presi- General Scott, but the veteran was not on dent should have gone through the Baltimore duty. Thus, dispensing with all formality, reception because of the threatened danger, it the Republican President set a good example soon was felt that his course had been one of of Republican simplicity of manners and wisdom. The violent tone of the Baltimore kindness. papers of "Southern" proclivities gave the friends of the President good reason to feel that he had escaped humiliation, if not injury, at the hands of his implacable political enemies.* Mr. Lincoln's unexpected advent at the Capitol took all by surprise. Preparations on a large scale had been made for his reception; the Mayor had written an address of congratulation and welcome; the military had prepared new uniforms and reburnished their arms; the two Houses of Congress were in for an early adjournment, and the "coming man" was the theme of general remark. All preconcerted arrangements were frustrated, for he came in their midst an unheralded and unexpected guest. When it became known that he was in the city, his hotel was * The Albany Evening Journal published a detailed account of the existence of a conspiracy for the President's assassination, of which a well-known detective had been apprised. Its plan embraced a riot at Baltimore, on the arrival of the Presidential train, during which Mr. Lincoln was to be stabbed or shot. This account was understood to have been furnished by Frederick A. Seward, who was the special messenger sent from Washington to arrange for the night flight. The New York Times repeated this story, only adding to its exciting detail by asserting that eminent statesmen, bankers, and others, were in the secret of the conspiracy for the assassination. Without presuming to pronounce upon the credibility of this reputed conspiracy, we think a sufficient apology-if such were needed-for the incognito entrance to the Capital will be found in the fact that Mr. Lincoln acted by advice of General Scott. During the day he received visitors freely. All partisan feeling seemed to be forgotten, and Democrats vied with Republicans in their really genial welcome. Only the extreme Southern men stood aloof; they had no word of welcome for a man who, it was felt, would rule without fear, and prove faithful to his oath to sustain the Constitution and the laws. In the evening, by appointment, Mr. Lincoln received the "Peace Congress" members. The entire body was presented to him, and a cordial hour passed in an informal greeting. After the interview, the President was called upon to confront the ladies of Washington, who had congregated in the parlors of the hotel to be introduced to a man of whose ugliness of feature and ungainliness of form they had heard so much. Mr. Lincoln received them in a manner at once graceful and possessed. This closed his first day at the Capital. Thereafter he was to enter upon the thorny field of Administration. A Cabinet was to be chosen, Ministers to be selected, a settled policy to be drawn out of that fearful distraction. The brief interval of ten days, prior to his inauguration, was to be among the most trying of his experience; for the claims of persons to posts of honor-the rights of sections-the harmonization of conflicting interests--the disposition of places demanding a peculiar fitness-all were among those minor annoyances of administration which rendered the yoke anything but easy to bear. |