Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-03-01
MR.. LINCOLN IN PHILADELPHIA.
A Flag Raising at the Hall of Inde-
pendence

The ceremony Of raising the flag of thirty
fonr stars over the Hall of Independence, il
Philadelphia, On Friday morning, by Mr.. Lin
| coin, was attended with all the solemnity due
such an occasion, the scene being an impress
sive Que. AT the rising of the sun crowds of
people streaned from all parts of the city to-
wards tie State House, and very soon every
inch of ground was occupied, vast number of
ladies being present. The weather was cool
and bracing.
AT ssven O'Clock Mr.. Lincoln was escorted
10 the Hall, and there received by Theodore
! Cuyler, who warmly welcomed him to its ven
cradle walls 10 the hour Of national peril and
distress, when the great work achieved by the
wisdom and patriotism OF our fathers seems
threatened with instant ruin.
MR. LINooLN's SPEECH.
Mr.. Lincoln responded ss follows:
''Mr. Cuyler-I am filed with deep emotion
at fiudng myself standing here in this place,
where wefe collected together the wisdom, the
patriotism. the devotion TO principle, from which
! sprang tue institutions under which We live
You have kindly suggested TO me that in my
! hands IS the task OF restoring peace 20 the
/ present distracted couditou of the eoaatry -
can only say IN return, sir, that all the polii-
/ lcal sentiments entertain have been drawn, so
| far as bave been able To draw them, from the
sentiments which ofiginsssd and were gIyeu TO
The world from this ball. have ueyer had
/ feeling politically, that did not spring from the
! sentiment embodied in the Declaration of la
| depeudeGce.' l have often pondereG over the
/ dangers winch were incurred By the men who
assembled here and framed and adopted the
| Declaration OF independence. | have ponder
I ed over the tolls that were endured BY the off,
| GERS and soldiers of ths army who achieved tbat
independence. | have often inquired myself
what great principles or idea it was that kept
tals CoDtederaey SO long together. Ii was not
tha mere matter Of the separation of the Col
onies from the nlotherglsaa, Dul that seutimenl
| in the Declaration of Independence which gave
liberty not alone to the people of this country
! but, hope to the world for all future time
lGIsat appiaase.l Ii was that which gave
oroase that in due time the weights would be
| lifted from the shoulders of oil men, This il
sentiment embodied in the Declaration of In
dependence.
"Now, nay friends. can this country stand
upon shat basis? If il can, ! will consider
iayseit Que Of the happiest men in the world
II can help to save it. If it cannot be saved
npon that principle, it will be truly awful. -
bGt II this country cannot be saved without
giving up that principle, | was about to say
would rather be assassinated on this spot than
surrender il. [Applause.l Now, in my view
OF the present aspect of affairs, there need be
no boodshed or war. There is no necessity
Tor IT. am not in favor Of such course, and
| may say in advance that there will be DO
oloodshed unless it be forced upon the Govern
meht, and then it will DO compelled to act in
self defence. [Applause.I
"Aly friends, this is wholly an unexpected
speech, and did not expect to be called upon
to say word whom | came here. | supposed
it was merely to do something towards raising
the flag. | may, therefore, have said some
thiog iadiscreet. [Cries of 'No, no I have
said nothing but what 1 AM willing to live by,
and, in the pleasure of Almighty God, die
BY"
MIR. Lincoln concluded amid great applause.
The members of the City Council paid their
respects to him and the procession moved d.
reotly towards the platform erected 10 front of
the State House.
Al Mr. Lineoln's appearance on the plat.
form, be was hailed with outbursts of applause
from the surrounding multitude.
Mr.. Benton, of the Select Council, mado a
brief address inviting Mr. Lincoln to raise the
flag.
Mr.. LINcoLN's SECOND SPEECH
Mr.. Lincoln replied in patriotic speech
stating cheerful compliance with the request.
He alluded to the original fag OF thirteen stars,
saying, that the number Increased as time roll
cd on and we became happy, powerful peo-
pie.
"Each star adding to its prosperity. The
future is in the hands of the people, 1t was
on such an occasion we could reason together,
re-afiirm our devotion to the country and the
principles OF the Declaration of independence.
fLet us make up our minds that whenever
we do put new star on our banner il shall be
fxed one, never to be dimmed by the horrors
of war, but frightened by the con,enrmont aud
prosperity of peace. Let US go on to extend
the area of our usefulness, add star upon star,
until their light shall shine over Eve hundred
millions Of a free and happy people,"
MIR. Lincoln then threw off bis oVercoat in
an of-bsnd, easy manner, tbs hankwoodian
style of which caused many good naturcd re.
marks.
Rev. Alr. Clark addressed the Throne of
Grace in an impressive prayer, many spectators
uncoveriug themselves when the Alg was roll
ed mp 10 man of-war style, then adjusted,
signal fired, aud amid the most excited enthu-
slasm the President elect hosted the national
ensign.
A stiff breeze caught the folded bunting and
threw i. out boldly 10 tho winds.
Cheer followed cheer nntil hoarseueas pre-
vented continuance.