Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-02-20

Washington street.
The avenue at that part, and for probably two
squares was blocked up early, and the military,
who usually form the principal feature of such
parades, almost lost in the collection of car
riages, and the black mass of people. There did
not seem to be any object or aim in the crowd,
further than to crafty their curosity-and there
was certainly total absence of enthusiasm. An
excursion train of eight came in at about
half-past four and stopped at the crossing. An
old gentleman with carpet sack in his hands got
out, and the cry arose that he was Mr.. Lincoln,
and rush and scramble was made for him. He
enjoyed the joke, seemingly, but hurried on, ell
bowling his way with sturdy independence, and
succeeded in leading off several hundred noisy
urchns as far as the Bates.
At O'Clock the first gun of the thirty-four of
the salute announced the approach of the special
train, and to a minute by watch the car con-
tanning the Presidential party stopped at the cross
ing. An open barouche, drawn by four white
horses, suitably decorated, containing Gov. Nor
ton, Hon VIM. Cumback, and two others, was
stationed so that it would be in line with the rear
platform of the car in which Mr.. Lincoln rode,
and from the carriage, as Mr.. Lincoln appeared
on the platform, Gov. Morton welcomed him to
the Capital of Indiana in the following words
GOV. MoRroN's WELCOME.
SIR On behalf of the people of Indiana. l
bid you welcome. They avail themselves of this
occasion to offer their tribute of high respect to
your character man and statesman, and in
your person to honor the high Office to which you
have seen elected.
In every free Government there will be differ
ences of opinion, and these differences result in
the formation of parties but when the voice of
the people has been expressed through the forms
of the Constitution, all patriots yield to it obed
ence. Submission to the popular will is the es
sential principle of republican Government and
vital is this principle that it admits of but one
exception which is revolution. To weaken it is
Anarchy, to destroy it is Despotisni.
1t recognizes no appeal beyond the ballot box
and while il is preserved, Liberty may be wounded
but never slain To this principle, the people of
Indiana. men of all parties, are loyal and they
here welcome you the Chief Magistrate elect
of the Republic.
When our fathers framed the Constitution, they
declared it was to form more perfect Union, es
tablish Justice and to secure the blessings of Lib
erty to themselves and their posterity, and for
these considerations, we proclaim our purpose to
maintain that Constitution inyioate as it came
from their hands.
The Union has been the idol of our hopes the
parent of our prosperity; our shield of protection
abroad; and our title to 'herespect and considera
ton of the world May it be preserved, is the
PRAYER of every patriotic he rt in Indiana and that
it shall be, the determination.
You are about to enter upon your official duties
under circumstances at once novel and full of diff
Guilty, and it will be the duty Of all good citizens,
without distinction of party to yield cordial and
earnest support to every measure of your admin
istration calculated TO maintain the Union, pro
mote the national prosperity, and restore peace to
our distracted and unhappy country.
Our government, which but yesterday was the
theme Of every euIogy, and stood for the admira-
ton of the world is to-day threatening to crumble
into ruins, and it remains to be seen, whether it
possesses living principle, or whether, in the
funess of time, the hour of its dissolution is at
hand.
But we are full of confidence that the end is
not yet-that the precious inheritance from our
fathers will not elude our grasp, or be wrested
from us without a strugge-that we are but pass
ing through one of those civil connections, that
mark the history of every great nation, and that
we shall emerge from the present gloom into the
bright sunshine of peace and fraternity and march
forward with accelerated speed in the paths of
prosperity and power.
MR.. LlNcoLN's RESPONSE.
Governor Norton and FsRoao Citizens of TIE State of
Indiana:
Most heartily do l thank you for this magnif-
cent reception, and while l can not take to my.
self any share of the compliment thus paid more
than that which pertains to a mere instrument, an
accidental instrument perhaps / should say, of
great cause, yet must look upon it as most
magnificent reception, and as such most heartily
do thank YOU for it. You have been pleased to
address yourself to me chiefly in behalf of this
glorious Union in which we live in all of which
you have my hearty sympathy, and as far as
may be'within my power, will have now and in
separately my hearty considerations. While do
not expect, upon this or any other occasion, till
after get to Washington, to attempt any lengthy
speech, will only say that to the salvation of
this Union there needs but one single thing: the
hearts of people like yours Applause The
people, when they rise in masses in behalf of the
Union and the liberties of this country, truly may
it be said, the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it. Renewed applause. In all the try
ing positions in which | shall be placed, and
doubtless | shall be placed in many very trying
ones my reliance will be upon you and the peo-
pie of the United States; and / wish you to re-
member, now and forever, that it is your business
and not mine, that if the union of these States
and the liberties of this people should be lost it
is but little to any one man fifty-two years of
age, but great deal to thirty millions of people
that inhabt these United States, and to their pos
terity in all coming time. 1t is your to business
to rise up and preserve the Union and liberty for
your sakes and not for mine. / desire they shall
be consttutionally preserved. /, as already init
mated am but accidental instrument, tempo
rary and to serve but for limited time, and APP
peal TO YOU again TO constantly bear in mind that
with you and not with politicians, not with Pres-
dents, not with Office seekers but with you is the
question, shall the Union and shall the liberties
of this country be preserved to the latest genera
tiong [Cheers.l
| The response was not heard at any considera-
bic distance Mr.. Lincoln's voice is not strong,
and the applause that given was altogether
the crowd cheered over. Indeed, while he was
speaking, many persons who had seen him when
he lectured here, year or two ago, did not re-
cognize the man. Then his face was guiltless OF
whiskers, and looked longer and palmer than Il
does now. There some delay in getting the
party into carriages, and we are informed that
about half of the suit had to take their feet in
their hands and walk, as best they could, to the
hotel. The arrangements in this regard were
disgraceful, and win not reflect any honor upon
our State. The parties having the matter in
charge seemed to think only of the President and
of themselves. When Mr.. Lincoln was fairly
seated in the barouche, a cry arose of cup up
and he raised and bowed to the crowd, shaking
hands with those who threw themselves on the
wheels to enjoy that honor, and smiling pleasantly
on all. The impression made was rather favora
bic than otherwise.
The procession, consisting Of the military, tn,
fire department, and long line of carriages
formed and marched up Washington street L
Pennsylvania street. up Pennsylvania to Ohio
west on Ohio to Illinois, and thence to the Bate
: House, where some eight or ten thousand persons
l more OF less, blocked up the famous crossing o
Illinois After leaving the carriage and entering
} the Bates, Mr.. Lincoln and Gov. Morton ap
Feared on the balcony.
Gov Morton said Permit me to introduce Il
? You Hon. Abraham Lincoln, the President cleo
of these United States.