Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-19
MFR. LIncoln,s speech At Cleveland.

!Hf. klncOihs SPccCh At SASkSAoho.
sThe reception at Cleveland, where Mr.. Lin
coin arrived on Friday afternoon, was an i'm
posing affair, the military, fremen and trades
men turning out in procession. The enthu'
siasm of the populace Of that Republican town
was at its highest pitch. j. \. Masters, act
inc Mayor, welcomed the President. and Judge
Andrews did the same on behalf of the citizens
committee.
Mr.. Lincoln spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and fellow-cltzens OIL CleVe'
land We have been marching about two miles
through snow, rain and deep mud. The large
numbers that have turned out under these cir
cumstances testify that you arc in earnest
about something or other. But do think 80
neanly of you US to suppose that earnestneSs
is about me personally | should be doing you
injustice to suppose that you did. You have
assembled to testify your respect to the Union,
the Constitution and the laws. And here let
me sav that it is with you, the people, 10 ad'
vance the great cause OF the Union ana the
Constitution, and not with any one mall. 1t
rests with you alone.
This fact is strongly impressed on my mind
at present. In community like this, whose
aopearance tcsllies to their intelligence, | am
convinced 1hit the cause Of liberty and the
Union can never be in danger. Frequent al
fusion is made to the excitement 1T present ex.
listing in national politics. 1t is as well that l
should also allude to it here. think there is
no OCCASION for any excitement The crisis, as
it is called, is altogether an artificial crisis. In
all parts of the nation there are differences Of
opinion on politics There are differences of
opinion even here. You did not all vote for
the ucrson who now addresses you. And how
is it with those who are not here? dave they
no; al! their rights, as they ever have had
Do they not have their fugitive slaves returned
now as cycrg Have they not the same cot.
stitutiou that they have lived under Tor the
last seventy odd years: Have they not Il pc
sit.on AZ citizens Of this common country, AHA
have we any power to change that position =
ICrics Of .No."1 What, then, is the matter
with them: Why al this excitement! Why
all these complaints: AS said before, tins
crisis is all artificial. 1t has no foundation in
fact 1t was argued up" as the saying H.:
and cannot be argued down. Let it alone, and
it will 20 down Of itself Laughter.
Mr. Lincoln said they must be content with
but few words from him. He was very much
laii.ncd, and mad spoken so frequently that he
was slrcadT hoarsc. lie thanked them for Tie
cordial, The magnificent reception they had
given him, and not less did he thank them for
the votes they had given him last fall, and
quite as much he thanked them Tor the efficient
aid they had given tie cause which ne repre-
sented-a cause which he would say was Il
good one. He had one more word TO say. lie
was given To understand that this reception
was rendered, not only by his own party sup.
por.ers, but by men Of ali parties. This is as
it should be.
IfJudge Douglas had been elected and had
been here on his way to Washington, as ain
tonight, the Republicans would have joined in
welcoming him Just as his friends have joined
with mine tonight. lfali do not join now to
save the good old ship Of the Union this vo,-
age, nobody will have chance to pilot her Oh
another cruise. He concluded By thanking all
present for the devotion they had shows for
the cause OF the Union.
At the close of the speech Mr. Lincoln was
presented with several splendid bouquets ard
floral wreaths, and in the evening he held
levee. which was attended by thousands. %
Saturday morning he started for Buffalo.