Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1861-03-08
The Flag On independence Hall.

! ElFIy in the diOrGius Of the 22d ulf,
the President Elect met large crowd at
the Hall, in Philadelphia, where the Dec
laration of Independence was signed. AZ
:er an address by Mr. Benton, on the mat.
ter before then, Mr. LINCOLN replied as
follows
Fellow Citizens: | am invited to par
ticipate in raising above Independence
Hall the Hig of our country, with an aiii-
tiOnal star upon it. Ipropose, in advance,
TO say few words. When that flag was
originally raised here, it had but thirteen
stars. Under the blessing of God, each
star added to that flag has given addition
al prosperity and happiness to this couu-
try, until 1t has advanced to the present,
condition; ; aud its welfare in the future,
as well As IN the past, Is IN your hands.
Cu!tiyatiug the spirit that animated cur
fathers, who gave reHown and celebrity to
this Hall; cnerishing that fraternal feel
ing, which has so long characterized US as
nation; excluding passion, i'll temper,
and preclpitate action Oh all occasions, |
think we may promise ourselves, that not
only the new stars placed on that flag
shall be permitted to remain to our per-
manent prosperity, for years to come, but
additional oues shall from time to time be
placed there, until We shall number, as was
anticipated by the great historian, FIVE
hundred millions of happy and prosperous
people. With these remarks, | proceed
with the very agreeable duty assigned me
The expression of the Presidep, elect
was that of silent solemui,y. His lorg
arms were extended each hand alternate
iy pulled at the hay srds; aud bundle of
bunting, tri-coiorei, which had never been
kissed by the wind before, slowly rose into
the sky. When the broad bunting had
reached The summit of the mast, it unroll.
ed at once, aud blazcd in the sunlight.
At the same moment, the band struck up
the Star Spangied Banner, aud a cannon
ranged IN the square sent up peal after
peal. Mr.. Lincoln was then escorted to
his hotel, and In a short time the crowd
had melted away, many going back to
their yet untasted breakfast, aud the rest
moving oi fl as business or pleasure prompted
The afternoon of the same day, Mr..
Lincoln was at Harrisburg, and (after va.
rious wtlcomes) in reply referred to ,ha,
patriotic Incident as follows:1
Aliusion has been made to the interest
ing fact, that first appear at the Capitol
of the great Commonwealth of Peuusylva-
MIA upon the Birthday of tue Father of
his Country. In connection with that be-
loved anniversary, have alleady gone
through one exceedingly interesting scene
this morning, in the ceremonies at Phila
delphia. Under the kind conduct Of the
gentlemen there, was, for the frs. time,
allowed the privilege OF standing in Old
Independence Hall. regret that had
not more tune to express something Of my
own feeling, excited by the occasion-
something to harmonize and give shape to
the sentiments that bad really been the
sentiments of my whole life Besides
this, cur friends there had provided
magnificent fIg Of our country, and they
had arranged 1t SO that | was given the
honor of raising 1t TO the head of is staff.
And when 1t went up, .as pleased that
1t went to its place by the strength OF my
own feeble arm when, according to the
arrangement, the cord was pulled, and it
fiunred gloriously to the wind, without an
accident, IN the light-sl5wing sunshine Of
the morning, | could Dot help hoping that
there was, in the entire success of that
beautiful ceremony, at least something of
an omen OF what Is TO come. Nor could |
hel p feeling then, as | have often felt,
that in the whole Of tha, proceeding | was
very humble instrument had not
provided the flag | had not mado the
arrangements for elevating it to its place
| had applied but very small portion of
my strength IN raising it. la the whole
transaction, was in the hands of the peo.
pie who had arranged it. Aud, if | can
have the same generous corporation Of the
people Of this nation, | think the fag of
our country may yet be faunting glori-
ously.
l am exceedingly gratifed to see the
manifestations upon The streets of your
military force, aud your promise to use
that force in case Of an emergency. While
| make this acknowledgment, desire to
repeat, in order to preclude any possible
miscons;ruction, that | do mos, sincerely
hope We shall have 20 use for ,hem-that
it will never become their duty to she'd
blood, and most especially never to shed
fraterual blood. l promise, that, in so far
as | may have the wisdom to direct, that
if so painful result shall in any wise be
brought about, it shall be through 10 fault
OF mine.
[These and other varied remarks, made
amidst pressing crowds under the greatest
exc emtnt, were all received wiki most !
rapiurous applause