GOOD-BYE SPEECH AT SPRINGFIELD.

[Delivered at Springfield, Ill., Feb. 11, 1861, the day on which Mr. Lincoln started for Washington.]

FRIENDS: No one who has never been placed in a like position can understand my feelings at this hour, nor the oppressive sadness I feel at this parting. More than a quarter of a century I have lived among you, and during that time I have received nothing but kindness at your hands.

I

Here I have lived from my youth, until now I am an old man. Here the most sacred ties of earth were assumed. Here all my children were born, and here one of them lies buried. To you, dear friends, I owe all that I have, all that I am, All the strange checkered past seems to crowd now upon my mind. To-day I leave you. go to assume a task more difficult than that which devolved upon Washington. Unless the Great God who inspired him, shall be with and inspire me, I must fail; but if the same Omniscient mind and Almighty arm that directed and protected him, shall guide and support me, I shall not fail-I shall succeed. Let us all pray that the God of our fathers shall not forsrke us now. To Him I commend you all. Permit me to ask that, with equal sincerity and faith, you will invoke His wisdom and guidance for me. With these few words I must leave you; for how long I know not. Friends, one and all, I

must now bid you an affectionate farewell.

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AT INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILA.

The object of Lincoln's visit, Feb. 1, 1861, to Independence Hall, was to assist in raising the national flag

over the hall. Arrangements had been made for the performance of this ceremony, and Mr. Lincoln was escorted to the platform prepared for the purpose, and was invited, in a brief address, to raise the flag. He responded in a patriotic speech, announcing his cheerful compliance with the request.]

Let

LADIES AND GENTLEMAN:-The future is in the hands of the people. It is on such an occasion as this we can reason together, reaffirm our devotion to the country and the principles of the Declaration of Independence. 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, and add star upon star until their light shall shine over five hundred millions of free and happy people.

[Then he performed his part in the ceremony, amidst a thundering discharge of artiller]y.

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LINCOLN'S SPEECH IN WASHINGTON.

[Delivered Wednesday, Feb. 27, 1861, at his Hotel.] [On Wednesday, the 27th, the Mayor and Common Council of the city waited upon Mr. Lincoln and tendered him a welcome. He replied to them as follows:]

MR. MAYOR:-I thank you, and through you the municipal authorities of this city who accompany you, for this welcome. And as it is the first time in my life since the present phase of politics has presented itself in this country, that I have said anything publicly within a region of country where the institution of slavery exists, I will take this occasion to say that I feel very much of the ill

feelings that has existed and still exists between the people in the sections from which I came and the people here, is dependent upon a misunderstanding of one another. I therefore avail myself of this opportunity to assure you, Mr Mayor, and all the gentlemen present, that I have not now, and never have had, any other than as kindly feelings towards you as the people of my own section. I have not now, and never have had, any dis

position to treat you in any respect otherwise than as my own neighbors. I have not now any purpose to withhold from you any of the benefits of the Constitution, under any circumstances, that I would not feel myself constrained to withhold from my own neighbors; and I hope, ie a word, that when we shall become better acquainted -and I say it with great confidence-we shall like each other the more. I thank you for the kindness of this reception.