, 1861-02-25
MIR, LINcoLN's SPEECH.

Mr. Lincoln said in response:
"MR CHAIRMAN lam rather an old nan
to avail myself Of such excuses as I am now
about to offer; jet the truth is SO distinct, and
presses SO distinctly upon me, that I cannot
well avoid it-that is, that did not under
that I was to make . speech. It vas not inti-
mated to me that was brought into room
whera Daniel Webster and Henry Clay had
made speeches, and where /, In my position,
am expected to do something like those men,
or at least say something worthy Of myself
I, therefore; beg you to make allowance for
the circumstances under which have been by
surprise brought before yop. I have been
very much in the habit OF thinking, and some
times speaking, on the questions that have
agitated the peopl-. 1fIWere disposed to do
SO, and ne were 10 take Up some of the issues,
and was called upon to make IN argument,
could do it without much deliberation. Bnt
that is not what you desire TO have done here
tonight. I have been occupying the position,
since the election, ofsilence-of avoiding pub
lie speaking. have been doing SO because
thought, upon due consideration, that was the
proper course for me to take. lApplanse.1
am brought before you now to make 0
speech, while you all approve, more than any
thing else, that have been keeping silence.
audience taking the full humor Of the fling.
1t seems to me the response you give to that
remark ought to Justify NE in closing just
here More laughter.
II have not kept silence since the Presiden-
tial election from any party crattiness or for
any indifference to the anIlcties that percade
the minds Of men in this country. have kept
silence for the reason TINT it was peculiarly
proper for me to wait until the time should
come when, according to the custom Of the
country, would speak officially. [Applause.]
hear some one say: According 70 the Gus
tom Of the country p ] a}lude to The custom,
on the Presidents taking the oath Of office, Of
his declaring what course he thinks shonld be
pursued. That is what mean. The political
drama acting before the country at this
time is rapidly shifting its scenes: Il vas
eminently lifting that I should wait till the
last minute, SO that could choose position
from which should not be obliged to deriatc.
hava said several times on this journey, and
now repeat to you, Ishall then take the ground
that I think is right-the ground that shall
then think right for the North, the South, the
East, the West and the whole country. Cries
Of good, good, and great cheerlnE.] And II
doing SO, I hope to feel no necessity pressing
upon me to cay anything in conflict with the:
Union of these United States, in conflict with
the liberty of the people, nor anything in con-
fict with anything whatever have given yo1
reason to axnect from me. fHeDFty aud long
continued applause,l Nov, 1ny friends, have
not eaid enough? (Applause, which, as tue
humor Of the thing was fully perceived, broke
forth in loud,huzzas.l Now, my friends, there
and insist on deciding the question"
Prolonged applause followed BIZ. <Llnco1n'a
speech. Iutroductions and hand.shaking en-
sued, and at ten o'clock MIR. Lincoln retired. 4
large crowd fingered about the hotel until al
ter midnight,