The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-03-01

House until 4 late hour in the evening.
Mr. Lincoln and his suite started for Phila-
Gelphia at 8 a. m. On arriving at Jersey City
a salute was fired by the steamship Africa
the president elect was welcomed to the state
by VIM. L. DAYTON. Mr. Lincoln responded
briefly. and the train left. On reaching New
ark he was welcomed by Mayor Bigelow,who
received short response from MIR Lincoln.
There were large crowds and great enthusi-
asm at all the stations. The special train
reached Trenton abou, noon. Mayor Mills
extended a welcome to MIR Lincoln and in
troduced him to the members ofthe city gov
ernment. The party was conveyed in car
riages to the state house. with a citizens and
military escort. MIR Lincoln, after being in
troduced to the state otficers,spoke as follows
in the senate chamber
81 am very grateful To YOU for the honora-
bic reception of which have been the OBJ
ject l well remember the place New Jer-
sey holds in our early history. In the rero-
lutionary struggle. few states among the old
thirteen had more of the hattle-fields of our
country within her limits than New Jersey.
May be pardoned if upon this occasion |
mention that away back in my childhood, in
the earliest DAYS of being able TO read, got
hold of a small book, one which few of the
younger members of this body have ever
seen-Weems' Life of Washington re-
member that all the accounts there given of
the bat,ie-felds and bloody struggles for the
liberties of our country none fixed themselves
upon nv imagination like the struggle here
at Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing of the
river Delaware the contest with the Hessians,
the great hardships endured at that time, all
fixed themselves upon NY memory more than
any single revolutionary event. You all
know, for YOU have all been boys, how these
early impressions outlast MANY subsequent E.
vents. l recol.ect thinking thsn, boy even
though was, that there must have been
something more than common which these
men struggled for. am exceedingly anxious
that the thing which they struggled for, the
something even more than national indepen-
dence, the something which held out great
promise TO all people of the world in all time
TO come.-l am exceedingly anxious that this
Union, the constitution ard the liberties of
the people shall be perpetuated in accordance
With the original idea for which that struggle
was carried throu. h and | shall be mcst hap
Il H.,
III the hands of the Almighty and this his al
most chosen people, for perpetuating the OBJ
ject Of that grea: struggle. Io1 give me
this reception. IS | understand. without dis
'inction of party. learn that this body is
composed Of 4 majority Of gentlemen whom
following their best Judgment in the choice
of chief magistrate. Gid not think ! was
the man. | understand, nevertheless, that
they come forward here 10 greet NE as the
constitutional president of the United States;
they come rs citizens of the United States,
TO meet the man who for the time being is
the representative man Of the whole nation,
united by purpose to perpetuate the Union
and liberties OF the people. As such, accept
these attentions more gratefully than if they
were rendered NE as an individual" lHearty
applause.l
Being conducted 10 the assembly chamber,
Mr. Lincoln spoke as follows. IL response to
an address Of welcome by the speaker:
Il have just eHloved the hcnor OF a recep-
ton by the other branch of this legislature.
return to ycu and them my thanks for the
reception which the reopie of New Jersey
have given. through their chosen representa-
tivcS, to me. ~ for the tine being the REPRE-
sentative of The majesty OF the people of the
United States. appropriate TO myself very
little OF these demonstrations Of respect with
which have been greeted think little
should he given to any Nan is sucil but that
il should be manifestation Of adherence TO
the lniou and constitution. | understand
myself 10 he received titre bv the representa-
,ivs> of 'he people Of New Jersey. a maiori.
" OF whom differ IN opinion from those with
whom haze acted. This manifestation is
therefore IL be regardg,! by ME as expressing
their devotion 10 The Union. the constitution,
AID the liberties of the people You, Mr.
Speaker. have well said this is a time when
the brave>t and wi>eSt .ook with doubt and
awe upon the aspect presented by our naticn-
al affairs. lnd-r these circumstances YOU
will readily see why Isi.ould not speak in de-
tai of the course shall deem it best to pur-
sue. Il Is proper that should avail myself
Of al information and ali the means at nv
Command. in order that when the tine ar-
ri,eS for Mt to speak otiiciallyI shall he able
to take he GROUND which deem the best
and sateseand from whi,n may have no oc-
cas:on to swcrve. shall endeayo- to take
the ground deem mos: just 10 TIE North,
the East. the West. ,te South, and the whole
couniry.-tAke il, | hnIe. n good temper.
certainly with no ma,;te towards any section.
| shall DO AL tha; may lie in nv power to
promote a peaceful settlement Of all our diff
culties. The man does rot live who is more
devoted TO peace than | am, tcheers,) nor
would DO more 10 preserve it. But it may
be necessary 10 put the foot down FIRMLY
tllere IN" audience broke into cheers so loud
and long that for some moments it was i'm
possible to hear Mr. Iincolns voice. And
if DO my duty aud 90 right, You will sus-
tam me, will you? l.cud cheers. and cries
of yes. YES. We WILL Received as am bv
the members OF legislature. majority of
whom DO not agree with me in political sen
tlments, trust that | nay have their assist
ance in plotting the ship ofs;ate through this
voyage, surrounded by periis as ii is for if
1t should suffer wreck now, no pilot viii ever
be needed for another VOYAGE"
Mt Lincoln partook Of splendid collation.
a. the Trenton House, and afterwards briefly
addressed the crowd outside estimated to
number 10000 people. He resumed his
Journey ty special train. and reached the
kenSington depot. Philadelphia, at p m.
He rode in 4 barouche drawn by four white
horses, 10 the Continental House, his escor,
consisting of the Pennsylvania dragoons city
police, and cayalcade OF citizens of all polit-
ical parties. About 100000 people had as
sembed along the line Of march. and he was
greeted with display of patriotic emblems
and manifestations. Arrived at the Cont.
mental Hotel, he was welcomed bv Mayor
Henry. and spoke as follows from the baIcn.
ny i appear bef,re you to make no
iensthy speech, but i'm y to thank YOU for