The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-02-21
THE PEACE CONGRESS.

tion sat six hours to-day in discussing whether de-
bate should be limited Mr.. Wicklitfe offered res
olution restricting speeches to thirty minutes. An
amendment was proposed BY the Tennessee Com
missioner for ten, with a condition that a vote
should be taken at 3 o'clock to-day. He said he
came here to act, and not to speak. Another prop.
ostion was offered that the Convention should meet
at 10 and adjourn at 4, and reassemble at in the
evening and adjourn at 10; and third, to close de-
bate on Thursday and proceed to vote.
Thus far the South has consumed most of the
time in discussion. Ohio New York, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and other free States have not been
heard at all on the material question. Dudley
Field told the Convention he would not submit to
any restriction, and he thought such a suggestion
came with bad grace from those who had been
fully and frequently heard
Commodore Stockton made a characteristic
speech, in which he declared the Convention should
not adjourn until it had agreed upon something
He deprecated the idea of coercion, and if it was
attempted, there would be found hosts in the North
to rise up against the men who would try that
policy.
Mr.. Granger contendsd that the election of Mr.
Lincoln was not to be regarded as an Endorsement
of the Chicago platform by the great mass of
Northern people, and if New York was now called
upon to speak, she would give 100 600 majority for
compromise.
Mr.. Noyes did not regard Mr.. Granger as the
authorized exponent of opinion in his State and
he would not be deferred from asserting his prin-
ciples by the menaces of Commodore Stockton.
III
Mr.. Lincoln's Administration attempted to col
lect revenue or execute the laws in the seeding
States Virginia would treat it as a declaration of
war.
Mr.. Rulin made a c0nciliatory speech, depre-
eating all partisan spirit in these discussions He
was older than the Constitution, and hoped he
should not survive its downfall
MIR. Ewing spoke of the conservative line of poll
cy, and saw much to condemn in the extreme views
held by leading Republicans, who would yield to
no mDrOmise-yjeld to no concessions
Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, addressed several inqu-
ries TO the Virginia delegation as to the position
which that State intended to occupy between the
Government and the seeding States.
Mr.. Seddon answered at much length, and in the
tone already indicated.
Mr. Rives spoke in defence of the proposed me-
thod of amending the Constitution, in answer to
charges of irregularity, showing that the Conven-
tion which framed the Constitution had not been
regularly called. So, too, amendments had been
Incorporated, Involving departure from the strict
rule. lie thought, in great crisis like this, we
could waive slight formaities.
Mr.. Summers concluded the debate in an able
and udicious effort, and the Convention adjourned,
leaving the discussion untrammelled
PROGRESS OF THE PRESIDENT ELECT
Mr. Lincoln at New York
SPEECH TO THE REPUBLICAN CLUBS.
New YORK, Feb. 20.-The Republican clubs ofthe
city waited on Mr. Lincoln last evening in the hall
of the Astor House.
speech of welcome, alluding to the fact that the
hall had only been occupied on three occasions for
the reception of public men-once for Webster,
once for Clay, and now for Abraham Lincoln.
SPEECH IN THE AsToR HOUSE HAIL.
Mr.. Lincoln responded as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Il am rather an
old man to avail myself of such an excuse as | am
now about to do, yet the truth is so distinct and
presses itself so distinctly upon ne that | cannot
we'll avoid it; and that is that did not understand
when | was brought into this room that | was
brought here to make a speech. 1t not. init
mated to me that | was brought into this room
where Daniel Webster and Henry Clay had made
speeches, and where one in my position might be
expected to do something like those men, or do
something unworthy of myself or my audience. |
therefore, will beg you to make very great allow
ance for the circumstances under which | have
been by surprise brought before you. Now,
have been in the habit of thinking and speaking
for some time upon political questions that have
for some years past agitated the country, and if
were disposed to do So and we could take up some
one of the issues as the lawyers call them, and
were called upon to make an argument about it to
the best of my ability, could DO that without much
preparation. But that is not what you desire to
be done here tonight | have been occupying a
position, since the Presidential election, of silence,
of avoiding public speaking of avoiding public wri-
ting. l have been doing so because thought, upon
full consideration, that the proper course for
me to take. (Great applause.) | am brought be-
fore you now and required to make speech, when
fact that have been silent loud laughter cries
of 'fGood-good," ;" and applause land now it seems
to me from the response you give to that remark 1T
ought to justify me in closing just here. (Great
laughter.) 1kave not kept silence since the Presi-
dental election from any party wantonness, or
from any indifference to the anxiety that pervades
the minds of men about the aspect of the political
affairs of this country. | have kept silence for the
reason that | supposed it was peculiarly proper
that should do so until the time came when, ac-
cOrding to the customs of the country, | should
speak officially. Voice, partially interrogative,
partially sarcastic, "CuStom of the country?") |
heard some gentleman say, according to the Gus
tom of the country" | alluded to the custom OF the
President elect at the time of taking his oath of
office This is what meant by the custom of the
country. do suppose that while the political
drama being enacted in this country at this time is
rapidly shifting in its scenes, forbi dding anti
cipation with any degree of certainty oday what
we shall see tomorrow, that it was peculiarly fit
ting that should see it all up to the last minute
before | should take ground that l might be dis
posed by the shifting of the scenes afterwards again
to shift. (Applause.) said several times upon
this journey, and now repeat to you, that when
the time does come | shall then take the ground
that l think is right--(interruption by cries of
"Good," "good," and applause the ground |
think is right for the North, for the South for the
East for the West, for the whole country-(crie
of Good" "Hurrah for Lincoln and great ap-
plause). And in doing so hope to feel no neces-
sity pressing upon me to say anything in conflict
ued union of these States-(appau j. in conflict
with the perpetuaon of the liberties of these peo-
ple-(cheers) )-or anything in conflict with any
thing whatever that have ever given you reason
to expect from cloud cheers.) And now, my
friends, have said enough? (Cries of "No, no.
"Go on" &C., Now, my friends, there appears
to be difference of opinion between you and me,
and feel called upon to insist upon deciding the
question myself. Enthusiastic cheers.)
He then proceeded to the upper end Of the hall
where he shook hands with large number of per.
sons and then retired.
Crowds have danced attendance around the ho-
tel until late hour, cheering and endeavoring to
get within sight of the next President.
FORMAL RECEPTION OF THE, PRESIDENT ELECT Al
NEW YORK.
New YoRK, Feb. 20-Mayor Wood formally re-
ceived Mr.. Lincoln this morning in the Governors
room of the City Hall. The Mayor said the city OF
New York had never offered its hospitality to a
clothed with more exalted powers or resting under
graver responsibilities, than those which crcum-
stances have devolved upon you Coming into office
with dismembered government to reconstruct, and
adisconnected and hostile people to reconcile it will
require high patriotism and elevated comprehen-
sion of the whole country-its various interests,
opinions and prejudices-to so conduct public affairs
as to bring back again our former harmonious, con-
solidated and prosperous condition.
Mr.. Lincoln responded, agreeing with the senti-
ments of the Mayor. In his devotion to the Union,