The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-03-06
Tour of Mr.. Lincoln.

A large crowd gathered in the Park
at New York, on Wednesday morning
10 witness the official reception Of th,
President elect. Mr.. Lincoln arrived r.,
few minutes before eleven o'clock. IN
charge Of the Common Council and wa,
immediately escorted to The Governor.
Rooms, where the Mayor and a few
friends, with the members Of the press
awaited his coming. He was introduced
10 the Mayor by Mr.. Connell, of III.
Board Of Aldermen. The Mayor spoke
AS follows:
Mr.. LINCOLN: AS Mayor Of New
York, 1t becomes my duty to extend to
you an official welcome in behalf Of the
| corporation. Ia doing 30, permit me .o
say, that this city has never offered hos.
pitality to man clothed with more ex.
! alted powers, or resting under graver re-
! sPonsiblIl,res than those which circum.
stances have dsvolved upon you Com
ing into office with q dismembered Gov.
ernment to reconstruct, and disconnect
ed and hostile people to reconcile, il will
require high patriotism. and an eieva
| ted comprehension Of the whole country
and It's varied interests, opinions and pre-
judices. TO so conduct public affairs IA to
bring 1t back again ~ its former harmo.
NOUS, consolidated and prosperous condi.
ton
You will paIdon the Mayor Of New
York for abiding to this topic, sir, be-.
cause New York is deeply inlerested.-
The present political divisions have sore!y
afflicted her people, All her material in
teres,s are paralyzed. Her commercial
GREATNESS is endangered. She is the child
"i the American Union. She has grow n
up under its maternal care and been fos.
tered by It's paternal bounty, and We fear
that if the Union dies, the present su.
premacy of New York may perish with
It, 10 you, therefore, chosen under the
forms Of the Constitution as the head OF
The Confederacy, we look for restoration
Of fraternal relations between the States
only 10 be accomplished BY peaceful
and couciliatory means-aided by the
wisdom Of Almighty God.
The Mayor, in delivering the above nd
dress. spoke with an air Of great delibe
ration.
Mr.. Lincoln responded TO the Mayors
address rs follows:
Mr.. MAYOR: Itis with feelings of deep
gratitude that | make my acknowlede.
ments for the reception extended to me
by the commercial city Of New York.
cannot but remember that this is
done by people, majority Of whom do
not agree with me in political sentiments;
and am the more grateful, because I see
mat IN The great principles Of our Gov.
c'nment our people are very nearly, or
quite unanimous
La regard TO the difficulties that con.
front US, and Of which your Honor has
though. fit to speak so appropriately, and
suppose justly. l can only say, agree
with the continents expressed by the
Mayor. 10 my devotion 10 the Union
hope am behind no man in the alton.
With regard 10 my course Of conduc,
IN the affairs Of the nation, | fear too
great confidence has been reposed in me !;
but | am sure ! bring a heart devoted to
tho work. am sure there is nothing
tnat could bring me 10 conseuL willingly
TO consent, To The destruction OF this
Union, under which not only the grea,
commercial city Of New York, but the
whole country, has acquired its greatness.
unless be necessary for the preservation
OF ;he grea! principle for which the Union
itself vas made. ! understand the ship
TO be made for the carrying of the cargo,
and so long as the ship can be saved With
the cargo it should never be abandoned.
This Union should never lie abandoned
unless !. fails the possibility Of its preser
walton, and shall cease to exist excep: by
throwing overheard its freight and pas
sengers. So long as it is possible tba,
The prosperity and liberties Of this people
be preserved 10 this Union, il shall be
my purpose at all times to preserve il.
Again thanking you for the reception
given me, allow me 10 come to close.