Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-02-16
Fcby |, 1861.
Reception Of President Lincoln at In
dianapolis-He makes a Speech.
IndianaDOlis. Feb. II

indianapolis, Feb. II.
The firing Of 81 guns announced the
approaching train bearing the Prcsi-
dent elect and party. The President
WAS received and welcomed by GOV.
Q. p Morton, and escorted to a car
riage drawn by tour white horses
TAe proccsslonltormed itself into a pa
geant seldom if ever witnessed here
before. The procession was composed
Of the members of both Houses Of the
Legislature, public officers, municipal
authorities, military and fire companies,
citizens and strangers.
The President elect stood in his car
riage, aeknowIcd ging the weIcome.-
The procession upon reaching the
Bates House, halted, and Mr. Lincoln
was escorted to the balcony, where he
alth Messed his fellow citizens. He said
he came here to thank than for the
support given by Indiana to 4 true and
Just cause. Coercion and invasion are
terms much used now with temper and
hot blood, Let Us not misunderstood
| their meaning, nor the meaning of those
who use them let us Get their meaning
from the men who deprccate the things
thov would represent by their USE
What is the meaning Of these words?
Would marching an army into South
Carolina with hostile intent be inva-
sion? | think it would !; and it wouid
be coercion also, if the South Clrolinl-
ans were forced to submit. Bat if the
United States would merely hold aal
retake its own forts, and collect the
duties, or withhold the mails where
they are habitually violated, would any
Of all these things be invasion or coer-
cion? D. professional Union lovers,
resolved to resist coercion, understand
that such things as these Oh the part
of the United States would be coercion
or Invasion? If they do, their idea OF
preservation is exceedingly thin and
airy. In their view, the Union as a
family relation would seem to be no
regular marriage, bat sort of free love
arrangement to be maintained by per
sonal attractions. In what consists the
special sacredness of 4 State? 1Speak
not of the position assigned to State
by the Constitution, for that by the
bond we all recognize.
If a State or County possesses equals
in Territory and inhabitants, in what,
as a matter Of principle is the State
better than the county? Would an
exchange of names be an exchange of
rights upon principle? By what tight
fnl principle may 4 State being not
more than one fifteenth part of the na-
ton in size and population, break up
the nation and then coerce the larger
division of itself? What mysterious
right to place is conferred on district
of country with It's people calling it :
State
Mr.. Lincoln, in conclusion, said be
was not asserting anything, but asking
questions for them to consider and de
eide in their own minds what was right
and what was wrong.
Gov. Morton, being loudly called
for, appeared and spoke in congratu
latory tone to the gathering, which was
now Immense.
At I o'clock this evening the mem
bers of the Legislature paid their re
spects to the President elect, ;, no II
now holding reception at y; no n y
House, 7'''0<
t ~ The Dem. Senators will hold