The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-02-27
TELEGRAPHIC.

| New York, Feb. 20.-The President elect
was formally received by Mayor Wood this
morning, at the City Hall. The ceremonies
took place at the Governors Room, puctu-
ally at 4 o'clock. As early as 10 o'clock,
the police, under the immediate supervision
of deputy Carpenter, took their station at
the City Hall, and space was enclosed by
chains, leading to the stairs, within which
none but those having the privilege of entry
to the Governors Room were admitted. At
half past 10 large crowd of persons had
assembled in the Park awaiting the arrival
Of the President elect. t#t
A few minutes before IL o'clock Mayor
Wood accompanied by the members of the
Common Council and of the City Pres,
took up their position in the Governors Room
and shortly afterwards the shouts of thr
people outside announced that Mr.. Lincoln
had reached the City Hall. He soon appear
ed accompanied by the Committee of the
Common Council appointed to meet him at
| Albany, and was introduced by the Char
man, Alderman Cornell, to Mayor Wood
The Mapor stood on the side Of the table that
occupied the upper end of the room, and
Mr.. Lincoln took up a position Immediately
opposite him on the other side of the table.
The appearance of the two men was most
striking. The Chief Magistrate Of the City,
dressed in his usual taste in suit of black,
block overcoat buttoned tightly over his
breast, look cd at his distinguished visitor,
and never removed his eyes from him during
the delivery Of the two addresses. The
Chief Magistrate of the nation, also dressed
in black. taller by head than the Mayor,
looked calm and collected, but did not re-
turn the steady gaze that was fixed upon him.
Mayor Wood, in clear, distinct voice,
spoke as follows:
"Mr Lincoln AS the Mayor of New
York. it becomes my duty to extend to you
an official welcome in behalf Of the corpora
ton. In doing so, pernint me to say that
this city has never offered hospitality to a
man clothed with more exalted powers or
resting under graver responsibilities than
those which circumstances have devolved
upon you. Coming into office with a dis
memberel government to reconstruct and a
discontinued and hostile people to reconcile,
it will require high patriotism, and an Gle
waited compr, hcnsion Of the whole country,
and its varied interests, opinions and preju-
dices. to so conduct public affairs as to bring
it back to its former harmonious, condition
IF refer to this topic, sir, it is because New
York is deeply interested. Thu present po-
litcal division has sorely afflicted her people
All her national interests arc paralyzed, her
commercial greatness is endangered. She
is the child of the American Union She
has grown up under its maternal care, and
been fostcrcd by It's paternal bounty, and we
fear that if the Union dies, the present su.
premacy of New York may die with it. To
you. therefore, chosen under the forms Of
the Constitution as the head of the Conftte-
racy, we look for restoration of friendly re-
lations between tho States, only to be accom-
plished by peaceful and concliatory measures
aided by the wisdom Of Almighty God"
When Mayor Wood ceased speaking. a
murmur of half suppressed applause passed
readily, with firm, slow utterance, as fol-
lows
"Mr. Mayor 1T is with feelings Of deep
gratitude that | make my Acknowledgements
for the reception which has been extended
to the in this great commercial city of New
York. can but remember that such re-
ception is rendered by people who do not
by majority ag'ee with me in political
sentiments. 1t is more grateful on this ac-
count, because it is an evidence that in sup
port ofthe great principles that underlie our
Government the people are nearly or quite
unanimous. In regard to the difficulties
which encompass us at this time, and on
which your Honor has thought fit to speak
so becomingly and so justly, as | suppose,
| can only say that agree with the senti-
ments expressed by the Mayor. On my de-
votion to the Union | hope | may not be
behind any man in the Union b 1t in the
wisdom necessary to SO conduct affairs as to
secure the preservation of the Union, I fear
that may be deficient and that too great
confidence may have been reposed in me-
lam sure. | . vever. that at least bring a
heart devoted to the Union. There is moth
ing which could ever bring me to consent
willingly to the destruction of that Union
under which not alone the great commercial
city of New York, but the whole country,
has acquired greatness, unless it should be
the loss of that for which the Union itself
was made. AS understand, the ship is
made for the carriage and preservation Of the
| cargo, and so long as the ship can be saved
with the cargo it should ever be abandoned.
We should never cease in our efforts to save
it so long as it can be done without throwing
overheard the passengers and cargo. So
long as the prosperity and liberty Of this peo-
pie can be preserved in the Union, it will be
my purpose, and shall be my effort at all
times, to preserve the Union.
And now, Mr. Mayor. again thanking you
for the reception which has been given me,
allow me to close my remarks.
The utmost order and silence was preserved
during the delivery Of Mr. Lincoln's reply.
| At tie close, the members Of the Common
Council and of the State Government were
introduced to the President elect, and then
the police regulations were relaxed. the re-
| straining chains were removed, and the peo-
pie allowed to invade the City Hall with a
rush, and to fight and scramble their way
to the Governors room There two or three
policemen were stationed, whose duty soon
became extremely arduous, the crowd bear
ing them forward into the room, and the
noise and confusion outside being beyond
description. The scene inside the door of
the Governors room, was ludicrous in the
extreme
Supt Kennedy exerted hims ,lf to the ut
most to beat back the crowd WHO were ad
mitted at the door, at the head of the main
stairs, and found eg ess through the ante
chamber at the other end of the room. Men
were pulled in by main force out ofthe crowd
by the police, utterly unable to help them
selves, with coats torn and hats demolished
and lost
| In the heat of the excitement a female
made her appearance, and was dragged
through the doorway, with hoops and bon.
n,ts materially dlmaged. When introduced
to Mr.. Lincoln, she told him she was from
Illinois, and thought she had experienced a
rough voyage-she would 60 through tight.
| or Snuneza tn cea him