Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-02-28
President Lincoln at Washington

AT Trenton, New Jersey, MIR. Lincoln WAS
welcomed by the President of the Senate, and
replied as follows:
Mr. President and gentlemen of the Senate ofI
the State OF New Jersey | am very grateful to
you for the honorable reception of which have
been the object cannot but remember the
place that New Jersey holds in our carly history
In the early revolutionary struggle, lew Of the
States among the old thirteen had more of tho
battle fields Of the country within their limits
than old New Jersey.
May be pardoned if, on this occasion, men
tion that away back in my childhood, the earli-
est days Of my being able to read, got hold OF
small book such an one as few Of the younger
members have ever seen, " Green lille Of W ash
ington remember that IN all the accounts
there given of battle fields and struggles for the
liberty Of the country, none fixed themselves up
ON my Imagination as the struggle here at Iren
ton. New Jersey The crossingol the river the
contest with The iIessians, and the great hard
ships endured ut that time, all fixed themselves
uuon my memory more than any single Reyolu-
tionary event and you all know, for you have
all been boys, how these early impressions last
longer than any others | reeollect thinking
then. boy even though was, that there must
have been something more than common that
these men struggled for.
am exceedingly anxious for that thing which
was then struggled for that something even
! more than national Independence, that something
that held out great promise to all the people
Of the world for all time to COME am exceed
ingy anxious that the Union, the Constitution,
nd :ue liberties Of the people shall be pcrpet-
~. ed in accordance with the original IDEA Of
which that struggle was made; and shall he
most happy indeed If shall be an humble in
strumcnt in the hands of the Almighty for per-
pCtuating the object OF that great struggle.
| You give me this reception, as | understand,
without distinction OF party. learn that this
body is composed Of Il majority OF gentlemen,
who, in the exerti0n OF their best Judgment in
the choice Of IL Chief Magistrate, did not think
| was the man ! understand, nevertheless,
that they come forward here to greet me as the
constitutional President OF the United States, as
citizens of the United States to man who for
the time being is the representative man Of the
nation As such accept this reception more
gratefully than could did believe it was ex-
/ tended to me As an individual
lis speech was followed by heartfelt ap
pladse.
! bly, chamber, where he was addressed by the
Speaker, to which Mr.. Lincoln replied as fol-
lows
M Speaker and Gentlemen have Just en-
ioyed the honor ola reception By the other branch
Of this Legislature | return to you and them
Trunks Tor the reception which the ople
Of New Jersey have giveu, through their chosen
representatives., 10 me, as for the time being,
the representative Of the majesty Of the people
OF the I. ). appropriate TO myself very lit
tie Of the demonstrations Of respect with which
| have been greeted. think litre should BE-
given to any man, but that it should be Il mani
icstatlon Of adherence to the Union and Consti-
tuition. understand myself to be received here
by the representatives OF the people OF New Jcr-
sey, majority Of whom differ in opinion from
those with whom have acted This NANTES.
tation is therefore 60 be received hy me as express
M their devotion to the Union the Consttu
ton and the liberties of the people
You, Mr. Speaker, have wei, sid this is "a time
when the brlyest book with Iubt and awe upon
the aspect presented by our national all,lrs.--
Under the circumstances you viii repbIy see
why should not speak 10 detail OF the clurs
shall deem 1t bust ~ plisue IL j, proper
should avail myself OF all the nlormion and
OF all the time Mt my command, ia order thar
whom the TIM a rNts that mustsledk officially
shall he abl 80 lakc tae ground which deem
the bstand s,l,st and from waich may nave
no occasion To SweJye. shall rndc4yur - take
the gr0und deem most just to the North, the
Elst, the West. the South, ppd the whole c0un
try | shall take il, hope, IN good temper
certainly with no malice toward any section
shall do all that may be iumy power to promote
a peaceful settlement OF all our difficulties
The man does not live who is more devoted t.
peace than am (cheers), or who would do more
to preserve it bnt it may be necessary to pat
thu foot down firmly. Qlere thcaudience broke
out with cheers 81 loud and long that it was i'm.
possible to hear Mr. Lincoln yolce) And if
do my duty, and do it right, GU " ilisustan me
will you not2 cloud cheers, and cries OF
- Yes, yes, We will J Received as am by
members Of the Legislature, u majurity of whom
DO not believe with me IL political sentiments
| trust that may have their assistance in pilot
ing the ship of state through this voyage sur
rounded by lerils AS it rs; Tor it II should suffer
from an attack now, there will be no pilot evei
needed for another voyage. Gentlemen, have
already spoken longer than intended, and must
crave leave to stop here.
At Philadelphia, he was welcomed by one o.
the largest crowds of people ever gathered il
the city. Ilcmade several brief speeches, anC
assisted in raising a national flag over lndepen
d@n"e Hall, on which occasion he spoke as fol
lows;
am filled with deep emotion a, finding my
III standing in he place where we're colecle,
the wisdom and patriotism from which sprung
tie institutions under which we live. You hay,
k ably suggested that in my hands is the tasl
OF restoring peace to the present distracted con
di ION OF the country. | can say in return tha
all the political sentiments entertain have beer
drawn lrom the sentiments originated in anC
given to the world from this hall never had
a political feeling that did not spring from tn,
sentiments embodied ia the Declaration OF Indie
pcodeucc. have often pondered over the dan
gers incurred 10y the men who assembled here
anu framed and adopted the Declaration of In
dependence. have poudered over the toi'