Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-02-16
PROGRESS OF THE pREsfpENr ELEcr

PITTsBuRe, Feb I5-The weather this morn
ing opened inauspiciously. a heavy rain falling
| upto eight O'Clock, when IL subsidized. During
| the morning Mr.. Lincoln was waited upon by
the Pittsburg Councils In bedy, and many visf-
tors calling to pay their respects:
In accordance with Mr.. Lincolnl invitation To
the people Of Alleghary county last MIC ht large
crowd gathered this morning In the vicinity of
the Monongahela House. to hear his speech on
| the peculiar interests Of the country. When he
was introduced. and advanced TO the railing of
the balcony, he was greeted with vocifeTous
| cheering
Mr.. Lincoln then addressed the assemblsge as
4 follows:
Mayor Wilson, and citizens of Pennsylvania
| most cordially thank his Honor Nayof Wilson
ana tue citizens OF Pittsourg generally, for this
fattering reception. 1t is the more grateful be-
cause know that while II is not given me alone
but to the cause represent, yet II is given under
circumstances that clearly prove to me that there
| [Enthusastic applause
Aud here may remark that In every short ad.
dress have made to the people, In every crowd
| through which have passed of late some allusIop
has been made to the present distracted state of
| the country.
II is naturally expected that should saw some
thing upon this subject; but IL touch upon Il at
all It would involve an elaborate discussion. The
great number Of the questions and circumstances
| would require more time than can at present
commana, ana would perhaps unnecessarily
developed themselves. Immense cheering and
cries Of Good, )" "That's right ~
The condition Of the country is an extraordinary
one, and fills the mind Of every patriot with anx
| ity and solicitude. My intention is to give this
subject all the consideration that | possibly can,
before speak fully and definitely in regard to IT,
| lCheers So that when do speak, may be as
nearly right as possible. Loud and continued
applause
when 1 do speak, hope 1 will say nothing in
opposition to the spirit Of the Constitution or con-
trary to the integrity of the Union, or which will
prove inimcal to the liberties of the people or to
the peace of the whole country. [vociferous ap-
/ nlausp nj fnrth ,.,bn
for me TO speak on this great subject, hope will
say nothing to dsappoint the people generally
throughout the country, especially II their erpec-
tations have been based upon anything which 1
may have heretofore said. [Applause
| Notwithstanding the troubles across the river
(the speaker pointing southwardly to the Monon-
cePt an artificial one. daughter and applause ]
What is there now to warrant tie condition OF
affairs presented by our friends over the river !
Take even their own view of the questions in
volved there is nothing to justify the course thew
are pursuing. voice. That's $50
repeat then, that there is no crisis, excepting
such one as may be gotten up at any lime by
turbulent men, aided by esgning politicians,
MY advice then, under the circumstances is to
keep cool. If the great American people only
keep their temper on both sides OF the line these
troubles will come to an end and the onss,ion
that now abstracts the country will be settled Just
as surely as all other difficulties Of like charac-
ter, which have orig mated in the Government
have been adjusted. Let the people on both sides
keep their lfpcssession, and just other clouds
have passed and cleared away In due time SO will
TINS, and this great nation continue to prosper
heretofore Loud applause But, fellow citi-
zens, | have spoken longer on this subject than
Intended in the outset [Cries Of go on 20 on ~
| shall say no more at present.
FelIowctiZens: As this is the first oDportu nj tv
| have had TO address a Pennsylvania assembIage
1t seems fitting time to indulge in few remarks
on the important question of the tariff, subject
| OF great magnitude and one attended with many
difficulties owing TO the great variety of Interests
involved. so long as direct taxation for the sup
peri OF the Government is not resorted to- a tariff
Is necessary. tariff is to the Government what
meat is to d family; but while this is admitted II
still becomes necessary to modify or change its
operations, according as new interests or new cir
cumstances arise So far, there is little difference
OF opinion among politicians, bur the question as
10 how FAR impOsts may be adjusted for the pro-
lection OF home industry. gives rise to numerous
} | views and objections | must confess th,t do
not understand the subject in all its rrnIttfnrm
bearings, but promise you that | will ri We itmy
| closest attention, and endeavor to ccmprebend Il
| more FULLY And here | may remark that the
Chicago platform contains plank upon this SUBJ
Ject, which | think should be regarded as a law
| Tor the incoming administration. Immense de-
monstratons of applause In fact this question.
well all other subiscs embodied in that Mat
form, should not be varied from what we gave the
people To understand would be our policy when
we Obtained their votes Continued applause ]
OF the chicago platform, rather have IL read in
| have. >''' 'AA''
; Mr.. Lincoln's private secretary then road .sc-
ton twelfth of the Chicago platform, al follows
That while providing revenue for the support of
sne oenera neral government by duties upon imports,
SOUND policy requires such adjustment of these
imports az may encourage the development of the
Industrial Interest Of the whole country: and we
commend that policy Of national exc hang es whic b
| secures 10 the work.ngmen liberal wages to agri-
culture remuHerating prices, TO mechanics and
manufacturers an adequate reward for their skiI
| labor and enterprise, and to the nation CONNER
| clal prosperity and Independence
Mr. Lincoln continued: Now, must confess
that theFe are shades Of difference in constituting
even this platform but am not now Intending
10 discuss these differences, but merely TO gi We
| you some general ideaof the subject have fon9
thought that If there be any article Of pecessity
which can be produced at home with as little. or
| nearly the same labor rs abroad IL would he b.t
ter 10 protect that article of labor at its trns
ard OF value II bar Of iron got out of the mines
| In England, and a bar OF iron taken frorl IN.
mines In fennSvivania can be produced at the
| same cost, 1t follows that If the English bar be
| sEipped from Manchester to Pittscurg and the
| american bar from Pittsburg to Manchester the
uost Va carnage isappreciably lost Laughter IL
we had no IRON here, then We would encouraye The
| shl pment from foreign country, but when we
| can make IL as cLeaply In cur own country This
brings us back to the first proposition, that il any
| article can be produced at home with nearly the
same cost as abroad tie carriage has lost aho, The
treasury ofthe nation is in such low condition st
present that ttis subject now demands the atten-
uoh OF congress, and will demand the iInmediate
consideration Of the new ADM nistration The
tdr'f bill how before Congress may or NAV not
pass at Tue present session. confess do not nm
derstand the precise provisions Of this bill I do
not know whether 1t can be passed by the present
Congress or not. 1t NAV or may not become the
law OF the land, but IL 1t does pass that W; he
END OF the matter until modification can be effect
ed, should that be deemed necessary III II does
not pass, and the latest advces have are TO tie
effect that 1t is still pending, the next Congress
| Will have to give il the earliest attention. "a
co1dng to my political education, Il am Inclined to
beleVe that the people In the various sections of
| the country should have their own views carried
out through their Representatives in Congress. m
the consideration OF the tariff bill should be
postponed until the next session Of the National
! Legislature, no subject should engage vour
| representatives more closely than that Of the
tarlh: II have any recommendation to make,
| IL VIII be that every man who is called upon
/ 10 serve the people in representative capacity
should study the whole subject thoroughly, as
intend to do myself, looking to all the varied in
J terests OF the common country, SO that when the
Time Tor action arrives to advocate that protection
! may De extended to the coal and iron OF Pennavi
Sana, the corn Of Illinois, and the reapers OF Chi
| cdgo Permit me to express the hope that this
important subject may receive such consi Iteration
tne hands OF your representatives that the inter-
| est OF no part OF the country may be overlooked
out that all sections may share in common bene8ts