Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-02-23
MR.. LINCOLN's RECEPTION AT PHIL
ADRLPHIA.


PHILADHLrHIA, Feb. %.
The ceremony of raising Tag Of "a stars over
the Hall of Independence this morning by Lin
coin. was attended with all the sOlemnity due
such an occasion, the scene being an impressive
one At the rising Of the sun crowds of people
streamed from all parts of the city towards the
State House, and very soon every lnch OF ground
was occupied, vast number of ladies being pres
ent. The weather was cool and bracing. At
O'Clock Mr.. Lincoln was escorted to the Hall, and
there received BY .Theodere. Cuyler, who warmly
welcomed hi n to its venerable walls IN the hour
Of national peril aud distress, when the great
work achieved by the wisdom and patriotism Of
our fathers seems threatened with instant ruin.
Mr. Lincoln responded IS follows
Mr.. Cuyler ~ 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 sprung the in
stitutiOns under which we live. You have kindly
suggested one that In my hands Is the task of re
storing peace to the present distracted condition
Of The country. / can say In return, sir, that all
the political sentiments entertain have been
drawn so far as have been able to draw them,
from the sentiments which originated and were
given to the world from this Hall. have never
had feeling politically that did not spring from
the sentiments embodied in the Declaration OF
Independence. have often pondered over the
dangers which were incurred BY the men who as
sembled here and framed and adopted that De =
laratiOn of Independence. l nave pondered over
the tolls that were endured by the oh1ceTS and
ence have often enquired Of myself what great
principle or idea II was that kept this COnfeder-
acy SO long together. 1t was not the mere matter
of the separation Of the colonies from the mother
land but that sentiment in tn Declaration Of In,
dependence which gave liberty not alone to the
people Of this country, but hope TO the world
| for all future time lGreat applause
It was that which gave promise that in due
time the weight would be lifted from the shoul-
ders of all men. This Is G sentiment embodied
/ in the declaration Of Independence.
Now, my friends, can this country be saved
upon that basisf If It can 1 viii consider myself
one of the happiest men in the world. If can
help to save It. If 1t cannot be saved upon tha'
/ principle, it will be truly awful, but If this
| country can't be saved without giving up that
principle 1 was shout to say would rather be
assaSsinated on this spot than surrender It. ZAP
plause). Now, in my view Of the present aspect
/ Of affairs, there need be no blood shed or war
there Is no necessity for H. am not IN iav9r .9 .
such a course, and say in advance that there
will be no blood shed unless II be forced upOT
| the Government, and then it will be compelled
to act in self defence, (ApPlause).
speech, and did not expect 70 be called upon Il
say q word when / came, supposed It wa
merely 10 do something towards raising the flag
1 may therefore have said something inaiscrete
/ (Cries of mo, no Pi) / have said nothing bui
/ what am willing TO live by, and If the pleasure
Of Almighty God, die by.
| Mr. Lincoln concluded amid great applause.
| The members Of the City Council paid theil
respects to him, and the procession moved direct
/ " towards the platform erected in front Of th,
/ Stats House.
On Mr.. LincoIn's appearance on the platform
he was hailed with outbursts of applause from th'
surrounding multitude.
Mr. Benton, of the select comnittc, made s
hrIef address, inviting Mr.. Lincoln to raise th'
Gag.
Mr. Lincoln replied In patriotic speech, sta
/ ting a cheerful compliance with the request. ID
alluded to the original Gag Of is stars saying tha
the number had increased as time rolled on, anC
we became happy, powerful people.