The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-20

all psssom then IN Ne FORMER, belonging neither 70 the
suite the committee, very ceremonoasy Turned
out ana they had the requisite ticket, Kept out,
much 10 their chsgrn, sometimes openly expressed.
Shortly before eight O'Clock Mayor Wood
his secretary the Comptroller several committees OF mo
republican party and or two prominent merchants
had private interviews with Mr. Lincoln in the reception
psrlor but the doors OF the were eaicusy guarded
70 preyeut me admission of any but the favored few
Even Phneas T. Barnum, who WAS TO be seen hovsESng
about 10 ascertain what time the object Of the
mont would visit his Museum to-day, with the wsoie Of
his suite, could obtain entrance.
THE MEETING DOWN STAIRS.
Al twenty minutes past eight o'clock Mr.. Lncoln &C.
compan,ed by several members OF the committee and
Others left the reception room, aud proceeded tho
large room on ths story below, generally known
gentiemens ordinary On his earance the people there
assembled began be noisy lot OF school boys
the play ground and not until repeated cries of
silence, &C., had been vocfora,ed could any have
either chance speak At last excited in
dividual shouted win Mr. Lincoln piease<ise," VIII
Mr. Lincoln please get q chair" &c When requested
To be quiet he said 81 cannot sec him, want 60 see
him." and then vaci'erated before. Nj. Lincoln,
therefore,, mounted upon temporary platform amid
loud cheers
Mr.. Z. DAIAF7nD SMITH then turned 70 Mr. Lincoln and
Mr IrScos--on behalf Of the republicans or the city
Of New York numbering thirty thousand and sweeI,
from the democratic ana Union ranks, firmly De
nsve, 10 forty or fifty thousand, present you
heartfelt greeting II is kabie incident there
houd have eeer but two receptions until tonight in
this The TO Daniel Webster, the other
Henry Clay, and a third is TO Abraham Lincoln.
Cheer But Mr. President meet you TO night, not
hut as citizens OF the srea est AMI most elo
rious republic OF the earth. We greet you hope,
patriots with firm trust and waverilg reliance Our
country il IN condition that calls for the anx.ty NJ All
aho love IT, Our faith must be in the few and the
honest many We greet you earnestly AM cordially and
ask that we may hear our voice IN response to the vel
come We offer you cloud cheers
Mr.. LINCOLN in reply addressed the assembly as fol-
| lows
SPEECH OF MR. LINCOLN.
Mr. CHAIRMAN ofNTFMEs IL am rather an old man
To avail myself OF such an excuse as now about TO
do yet the truth s distinct and presses If dis
tncty upon me that cannot wei avoid IT, and that rs
that old understand when was brought this
| 'ba was brought here TO make speech. 1t
inmaed To- me that was brought into the room where
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay had made sp ecnes,
and where one IN my position might be expected
! to do something like those men, d. some
| thing unworthy Of myself or my audience.
therefore viii beg you to make very great allowance
prise bro gh before yon. Now have been the habit
Of tbirkug ard speaking for some time upon political
country, and II were disposed 70 do So aud we could
take up Of the issues the lawyers call them
and were called upon 70 make an argument about it
TO the beet 81 my ability | could do that without
much preparation But that is not what you do
sire TO BE- zone here to night ! have been occu.
silence, OF avoiding public speaking Of avoiding public
| writing have been dong 50 because thought, upon
take. Great appause.) am brought before you now
ana required TO make speech, when you all approve,
more than any thing else, OF the fact that have been
silen'-(loud laughter cries Of Good--good, and ap
pause)and now 1t seems to me from the response you
give TO that remark IL ought to justify closing just
since the Presidential election from any party |
w.ntonness, or from any indifference the anxiety /
that pervades the minds OF mea about the aspect |
Of the political affairs of this country have kept
silence for the that supposed peculiarly
proper that shoald DO until the time came when,
according 10 the customs Of the country should speak
ciiciay. Voice, partially interrogative partially
caste. "Custom Of the cnuntryrD heard some & ne-
man say, according to the custom the country |
alluded to the custom Of the President the time
Of taking HE oath OF office That what by tho
custom Of the country do suppose that while the 20
lticai drama beng enacted In this country at this
an anticipation with my degree OF certainty |
to-day what shall TO morrow, that IL was pecu-
sariy fitting that should sse II all up 10 the last
before should take ground that might be disposed by
the shifting Of the afterwards again TO shift
(Appause said several times upon this journey,
now repeat to you that when the time does come
shall then lake the ground that think right-lntor
rupon by creSof "Good," s.good,n and THE
ground think is right for the North, for the South for
GOOD 'Hurrah for Lincoln, = andgreat appause) And
in doing so hope to feel necessity press ing upon
me TO FAY any hirg in conflict with the constitution
conflict with the continued union Of these Statcs(p
plause)in col ct with the perpetuation The liberties
OF these people Cheers anything In conflict with
any thirg whatever that nave ever given to
expect from me- cloud chcers) And now my friends,
have said enough. (Cries Of "No, no." eco on r)
Now, my friends, there appears 70 be difference of
insist upon deciding the question myself (nthusiastc
cheers.)
Mr.. Lincoln then left the platform, and after little
delay took his station between the pillars the
trance door OF the and each guest marched
past him by the police he cordially shook their hands
lilo then returned 70 the reception parlo where he gave
prominent members Of another republican committee
Guiding some OF the electors.