for me to perform that great task. I turn, then, and look to the American people, and to that God who has never forsaken them. Allusions have been made to the interest felt in relation to the policy of the new Administration. In this I have received from some a degree of credit for having kept silence and from others deprecation.. I still think I was right. In the varying and repeatedly shifting scenes of the present, and without a precedent which could enable me to judge by the past, it has seemed fitting, that, before speaking upon the difficulties of the country, I should have gained a view of the whole field, so as to be sure, after all-at liberty to modify and change the course of policy, as future events may make a change necessary. I have not maintained silence from any want of real anxiety. It is a good thing that there is no more than anxiety, for there is nothing going wrong. It is a consoling circumstance that when we look out there is nothing that really hurts anybody. We entertain different views upon political questions, but nobody is suffering in anything. This is a most consoling circumstance, and from it we may conclude that all we want is time, patience, and a reliance on that God who has never forsaken this people.

"Fellow-citizens, what I have said, I have said extemporaneously, and will now come to a close."

LINCOLN'S SPEECH IN WASHINGTON.

Delivered Wednesday, February 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 think very much of the ill feeling 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 disposition 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, in 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."

FIRST TALK AFTER HIS NOMINATION.

The telegram was received in the Journal office at Springfield. Immediately everybody wanted to shake his hand; and so long as he was willing, they continued to congratulate him.

1

"Gentlemen [with a twinkle in his eye]: You had better come up and shake my hand while you can; honors elevate some men, you know. . . Well, gentlemen, there is a little woman at our house who is probably more interested in this dispatch than I am; and if you will excuse me, I will take it up to her and let her read it."

LINCOLN'S FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

Delivered March 4, 1861, at Washington:

"Fellow Citizens of the United States: In compliance with a custom as old as the Government itself, I appear before you to address you briefly, and to take,' in your presence, the oath prescribed by the Constitution of the United States to be taken by the President before he enters on the execution of his office.

POSITION STATED.

"I do not consider it necessary, at present, for me to discuss those matters of administration about which there is no special anxiety or excitement. Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the Southern States that, by the accession of a Republican administration, their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed, and been open to their inspection. It is found in nearly all the published speeches of him who now addresses you. I do but quote from one of those speeches, when I declare that 'I have no pur