The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1861-02-27
LINCOLN,S RECEPTION AT
NEW YORK.
SPEECHES OF MAYOR WooD AND
MR. LINCOLN

The Mayor stood on one side of Ia
bic Il at occupies the upper end of the
room. ana Mr.. Lincoln took position i'm
medisteIy opposite him on the other side
of the table. The appearance Of the two
men was most striking. Thu chief mag.
istrate OF the city dressed in bis usual taste
in suit Of black, oycrcoat buttoned tglil-
" across his breast, looked ut his dstin
guiShed visitor and never removed his
eye from him during the delivery Of tie
two addresses. The chief magistrate of
the nation also dressed in black, and look
ed calm and co lectel, but I'D not return
the steady gaze that was fixed upon him
by the Mayor.
The Mayor, in clear, distinct voice,
spoke as follows:
Nh. LINCoLS:-As the Mayor of New
York, it becomes my duty to extend to
you an official welcome in behalf Of the
corporation. In doing SO, permit me to
say that this city has never offered hos
pitalities to man clothed with more ex-
allied powers or living under graycr res
possibilities than that which circum,
stances have devoIved upon you. Com
ing into office with dismembered gov
ernment to reconstruct, n
disconnected, hostile people to reconcile,
it will require high patriotism and clear
comprehension Of the whole country an,l
its various interess, opinions and prejud
ices to conduct public affairs and to bring
it back again to its former harmonious
condition. If refer to this topic, sir, It
is because New York is deeply Interested
and tie present political division has sad
" afflicted her people. All her material
interests are jeopardized. Her commercial
greatness is endangered. She is a child
of the American Uuion-she has grown
up under its maternal care, and been fes-
tered by its paternal bounty, and we fear
that if the Union dies the present sup
remacv of New York will die with it
To YOU, therefore, chosen under the form
of tho constitution of the United States
As the heal of tie confedcrcy we look for
restoration Of friendly relations between
the states, only to be accomplished by
the wisdom of Almighty God.
q hen Mayor Wood ceased speaking,
a murmGr of half suppressed applause
passed around the room. and Mr. Lincoi2
replied realty, with firm and slow ut
tcrance, as follows:
Mr.. MAYoR:-It is with feelings of
deep gratitude that make my acknowl-
edgements for the reception that has been
extended to me in this great commercial
city of New York. | can but remember
that such reception is rendered by a
people VINO do not, bv najoity, agree
with me in political sentiments. It is
more grateful on this account. The peo-
pie are nearly or quite unanimous in re-
gard to the difficulties which encompass
US at this time, Of which your honor has
thought fit to speak so becomingIy and
so Justly. / suppose l can only say that
l agree with the sentiments expressed by
the Mayor. and in nv devotion to the
Union, hope an not behind any man
within the Union, but in the wisdom nee
essary to so conduct affairs as to secure
the preservation Of the Union, | fear at
[ may be deficient, and tina. too great
confidence may have been reposed in me.
[ am sure. however, that at least bring
heart devoted to the Union. There is
nothing which could ever bring me to
consent willingly to tho destruction of
that Union under which, not alone the
great commercial city of New w.>rk, but
the whole country, has ,incin, great
ness, unless It should be tn. .os Of that
for which the Union itself was made, as |
understand it. The ship is made for the
carriage and preservation Of tho cargo,
and SO long as tho ship car be saved with
the cargo il should never be abandoned
We should never cease in our Efforts t.
save it 60 long as it can be done without
throwing overheard the passengers aud
cargo. So long rs the prospect Of liberty
to this people can be preserved in the
Union, it will BE my purpose aud shall
be my effort at all times to preserve that
Union. And now. Mr.. Mayor, again
thanking you for the reception that has
beau given me, allow me to CT Sc my
remarks.