The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-02-28
MR.. LINCOLN,s SPEECH AT
PlTTSRURG.

MAYOR WILSON AND CITIZENS OF
PENNSYLVANIA: / most cordially
thank his Honor, Mayor Wilson, and
the citizens Of Pittsburg generally, fol
this fattering reception. II is the more
grateful because know that while it is
not given to me alone, but to the cause
which l represent, yet it is given under
circumstances which clearly prove to
me that there is good will and sincere
feeling at the bottom Of it. [Enthusias-
tic applause. And here, fellow citizens,
| may remark that in every short ad-
dress l have made to the people, and
in every crowd through which l have
passed of late, some allusion has been
made to the present distracted condi-
ton of the country. 1t is naturally cx-
pected that ! should say something up
on this subject; but to touch upon it at
all wouldinvolvc an elaborate discussion
Of great many questions and circum-
stances-would require more time than
l can at present command, and perhaps
would unnecessarily commit me upon
matters which have not yet fully devel-
oped themselves. Immense cheering
and cries Of "Goodv y 'That's right!"1
The condition of the country, fellow
citizens, is an extraordinary one and
fills the mind of every patriot with anx-
iety and solicitudc. Ny intention is to
give this subject all the consideration
which I possibly can before speak
fully and definitely in regard to it,
(cheers], SO that when do speak I may
be as nearly right as possible [long and
continued applause and when l do
speak, fellow citizens, I hope to say
nothing in opposition to the spirit ofthe
Constitution, contrary to the integrity
of the Union, or which will III any way
prove inimical to the liberties Of the
people, or to the peace OF the whole
country. Applause. And further
more, when the time arrives for me to
speak on this great subject, | hope to
say nothing which will disappoint the
reasonable expectations Of any man, or
disappoint the people generally through
out the country especially if their ex-
pectations have been based upon any
thing which may have heretofore said
Applause. Notwithstandingthc troub-
les across the river THE speaker point
ing southwardly to the Monongahela
there is really no crisis springing from
anything III the Government itself. In
plain words there is no crisis except an
artificial one. Laughter and applause. ]
What is there now to warrant the con-
dition Of affairs presented to our friends
over the river? Take even their own
view of the questions involved and there
is nothing to justify the course which
they are pursuing. IA Voice-That's
SO. ! repeat then then there is no cri-
sis excepting such one as may be got
ten up at any time by turbulent men,
aided by designating politicians. My
advice, then, under such circumstances
is to keep cool. If the great American
people will only keep their temper on
both sides Of the line, the troubles will
will come to an end, and the question
which now distracts the country will
be settled just as surely as all other
difficulties Of like character which have
originated in this Government have
been adjusted. Let the people on both
sides keep their self possession, and just
as other clouds have cleared away in
due time, so will this, and this great
nation will continue to prosper as here.
tofore. Loud applause.