The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-22

| The arrival of Mr.. Lincoln in New York on
| Tuesday, has been published. From Win
| dow of the Astor House he made the follow
ing speech:
| SPEECH OF MR.. LINCOLN.
| Mr.. President and Gentlemen-I am rather
| an old man to avail myself of such excuses as
| am now about to do: vet the truth is so dis
| tinct, and pressing so directly upon me- th; I
! cannot well avoid it--and that is, that L did
not understand when was brought into this
room that was brought in to ma he speech
1t was not told SO. 1t was not intimated to me
that l was TO be brought into a room where
| Daniel Webster and Henry Clay had made
| speeches, when in my position l might be ex-
pected to do something like these men, or do
| something unworthy of myself my audi
| ence. l therefore will beg you TO make very
| great allowance for the circumstances in
| which have been by surprise brought before
| you now. L have been very much in the
| habit of speaking, and speaking sometimes
| upon the political questions that have for
| some years agitated the country, and if
were disposed TO do so, and we could Ia Ike up
| some OF the lssues-aS the lawyers cali
| them-some one of the peculiar questions in
| dispute, and l were called upon make an
| argument upon ii, why, to the best OF my
ability, could do it without much prepare
| tion but that is not what you desire to ha We
| done here tonight. have been occupying 4
| position, since the Presidential election of si-
| lence-of avoiding public speaking, and Of
| avoiding public writing. l have been doing so
|
| ton, that that was the course for me 10 take -
| tGreat applanse.I am brought before you
| now and am required to make Il speech when
you all approve more than anything the fact
| that have been keeping silence. Laughter
and loud applause.l And now it seems to
| me, the response you gave TO that sentiment
| ought to Justify me in closing just here. Re-
| newed laughter.] l have not kept silent about
| the Presidential election for any party
| tonness, or from any indifference to the anxi-
! cites that pervade the minds of men about
the aspects of political affairs in this country
| / have kept silence for the reason that l sup
| posed IL was peculiarly proper that l should
do SO, until the time should come when,
| cording to the custom of the country, should
speak officially. [Applausel L hear some
gen ntlemen say, 'iaccor(iing to the customs of
the country l allude to the customs of the
President at the time of taking the oath of Of
| flee that is what i mean when / speak of
| the custom of the country. 1 had supposed
| that when the political drama, being enacted
before the country at this tiInc-Which is ra-
pldly shifting its scenes, preventing us from
anticipating with any degree of certainty to-
| day what we shall see 10 morrow-that it
was peculiarly fitting that should see it all
upto the very last minute; that l should take
no ground, so that with the shifting of scenes
l could also shift. Moderate laughter i
l have said several times my journey that
when the time does come [applause that
when it does come--I shall then tn Ike a ground
which l think is Tight-a ground that | shall
think right for the North, the South, the
v.
["Good," and cheers;] and in saying so hope
10 feel no necessity pressing upon me TO say
anything in conflict with the Constitution, or
| in conflict with the perpetuity and Union OF
these States, tcheers,] or in conflict with the
perpetuity of the liberties of the people, or
| anything in conflict with anything whatever
that have ever given you reason to expect
from me. [Cheers.l And now, my friends,
have not said enough? 1 think l have
Laughter, cries of mo- ego on" "three
| cheers for Abe Linean,' - which We're given
Well now, my friends, there is a difference of
opinion between you and me. I really think
l nave said enough, and | shall take the liber-
ty of deciding the qnes ton myself. Laugh
ter and applause
HAND-sKAKING-ToM HYER.
After the address, Mr.. Lincoln proceeded to
the other end of the room, followed by nearly
the whole auditory. There, taking up q DO
sition between two large columns, and with
two lines of policemen, each Of five or six
men, before him, he shook hands with nearly
| all hands, until ell who desired TO had shaken
hands with him. lie then retired. Calls had
been made for Mr.. Hamlin, but it was soon
rumored bout the room that the Vice Presi-
dent elect had not yet arrived Mr.. Lincoln's
withdrawal was speedily followed by the
withdrawal OF the large body of visitors.
among the persons who We're introduced by
name during the hand shaking ceremony, was
Tom Hyer, 10 whom Mr.. Lincoln loosely said,
as he raised his hands and playfully waried
Off the great pugilist, Don't strike me, Mr.
Hyer." This episode caused much musement
to the few persons who were near enough TO
the parties to witness it. For hours after
these ceremonies, the hotel lobbies continued
to be crowded by the curious, hoping to see the
distinguished splitter of rats.
The 10th Ward Republican headq uarter
on Sth avenue, was Illuminated last evening
with Wide Awake torches, trans parencies
&c, and the Republicans enjoyed themselves
hugely
4 dog running up and down as if in alright
or in search Of his master, the long aisle on
Broad way, in front Of the Astor, now guarded
by policemen, was cheered Justify by the
crowd. The police pursued him, but All in
vain for while, when, finally, amid the two
younger children to the Astor House, where
they alighted ut the priyates' door in Vesey
street. Bob came with some of the member
of the press.
RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT ELECT AT NEW
YORK.
NEW YORK, Feb 20.-Mayor Wood formally
received Mr.. Lincoln this morning in the Gov
ernor's room of the City Hall. The Mayor
said the city of New York had never offered
its hospitalities to man ciCthed with more
exalted powers or resting under create re-
sponsibilities than those which circun stances
have devolyed upon you. Coming into office
wi tn a dismem bered government to reconstruct
and disconnected and hostile people TO recon
cile, it viii require high patriotism and ele-
yated com prehension or the whole country-its
varied interests opinions and preiudices--to SO
conduct public affairs as to bring back again
our former harmonious, consolidated and
prosperous condition.
Mr.. Lincoln responded, agreeing with the
sentiments of the Mayor. In his devotion TO
the Union, he said he was behind nc man In
wisdom he may be deficient, but he had Il
heart devoted to the work
DAMAGES RECOVERED FROM RAILROAD Con-
axv Mrs has