The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-23

Birthday an independence Hall
The President elect. at Pniladel phia, in seve-
rsl speeches tbere delivered, has made de-
claration or two calculated to produce pro
found impression upon the pnblic mind In
speech on the slst he said that he might be re-
quired to "set down his foot firmly" in his
administration of the federal government, and
in speech on the 22d, the anniversary Of
Wsshingtop's birthday. and in Independence
Hall, Mr.. Lincoln, speaking Of the i'm
mortal Declaration of 1776, SAID that
the issue involved "was not the mere
matter of the separation OF the colonies
from the mother land" but it was that
sentiment (which gave liberty, no alone
to the people o. this country, but hope to the
world for all future time. II was thai which
gave promise that in due time the weights
would be lifted from the shoulders of all men,
and he furthermore said that "if this country
pie, was about to say would rather be as
sassinatsd on this spot than Surrender it."
Now, in these emphatic declarations OF Mr..
Lincoln We have not the evidence for . posi-
tive Interpretation. II by setting his foot
down firmly" ne means that it is his purpose
firmly to taks his position N behalf of peace
full policy for the restoration of the Union he
is entirely right; but if he means the policy Of
warlike subjugutior against all parties repu
dating his executive authority, he is all wrons
In his Independence Hall speech, however h,
assures us 'ha., Gin m, view OF the preseot as
pect OF affairs, there iced be no bloodshed or
war. There is no necessity for it l an not 10
favor Of such course and / may say ia al
vance tina. there will be no bloodshed unless i,
be forced upon the government, and thea 1t
viii be compelled to act in self defence
We are thus encouraged to hope for a con
ciliatory policy on the part Of the incoming nd
ministratiou; for these outgivings of MIR. Lin
coin are substantially ,aosc OF Mr. Buchanau's
annual message, and Of his other communica
tons to Congress on the same subject. We in
fer that, like Mr. Buchanan. Mr.. Lincoln does
not intend to strike the first blow in the over,
act of war: ANA if so, The probabilities are III
favor Of Inc maintenance OF peace, which is
now the first and paramount question.
But touching this sentiment or principle OF
are created equal" that s'.hey are endowed by
their Crettoc with certain inalienable rights,
among which are life, liberty and the pursuit
Of happiness we are left somewhat in the dack
as TO the precise meaning of Mr.. Lincoln's pro-
testations. The principle in question, he says,
sgave promise that in due time the weights
would be lifted from all men S shoulders" and
~. 49, al H..
would part with his life. "All men created
equal "The weights from all mems shoulders"
Does the President elect speak of ''men" in the
aggregate a. nation or community aspiring
to nationality, or does he refer to man in his
individual capacity-white, red, yellow or
black? According to the Illinois campaign
speeches Of Mr.. Lincoln Of 1858, he means the
individual nun, and his Interpretation OF the
great document in question puts the white and
the black on the same footing of natural
equality.
If this be he true acceptation of Mr.. Lincoln's
Independence Hall speech, then his idea that
lin Que time the weights would be lifted from
the shoulders Of men," means nothing more nor
less than the progressive steps OF African eman-
cipatiOD to the full cOnsunmatOn Of the work
But we are not disposed thus to construe the
extemporaneous remarks under consideration
without further light. We are promised, in the
forthcoming inaugural, deliberate exposition
of Mr.. Lincoln's views ana policy in regard to
this revolutionary crisis under which the ship
OF Stale is drifting before the winds and waves
of faction and revolution. We must exercise
little patience; but meantime, from a general
review OF these little off hand speeches of the
President elect, we are really encouraged to
hope for much better things yet to come.
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