Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-02-14
MIR. LincoIn at indianapolis.

The firing of thirty-four guns annnounc-
ed the approaching train bearing the Pres
ident elect and party.
The President was received and welcom-
ed by Gov. o. P. Morton, and escorted to
a carriage drawn by four white horses. The
procession formed itself into a pageant
seldom if ever witnessed here before. The
procession was composed of the members
of both houses of the Legislatures, public
officers, municipal authorities, military
and fire companies, citizens and strangers.
The President elect stood in his carriage,
acknowledge the welcome.
The procession upon reaching the Bates
House halted, and Mr.. Lincoln was escorted
to the balcony where addressed his fellow
citizens.
He said he came here to thank them
for the support given in Indiana TO 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 deprecate the things they would rep
resent by their use; what is the meaning
of the words? Would marching an army
into South Carolina with hostile intent be
invasion? l think it would, and it would
be coercion also, if the South Carolinians
were forced to submit. But if the United
States should merely hold and retake its
own forts, and collect the duties, or with
hold the mails where they were habitually
violated; would any or all of these things
be invasion or coercion, understand that
such things as these be invasion or coer.
cion! Do professional Union lovers, re-
solve to resist coercion, understand that
such things as these on the part of Uni
ted States, would be coercion and inva-
sion? If they do, their idea of preserva-
ton is exceedingly thin and airy.
In their view, the Union as family re.
lation would seem to be no regular mar
riage, but sort of free love arrangement,
to be maintained by personal attraction.
In what consists the special sacredness of &
State! speak not of the position assign
ed to a State in the Union by the Consti
tuition, for that by the bond we all recog
nize. If State or county possess equa
in territory and inhabitants, in what as 6
matter of plinciple, is the State better
than the county? Would an exchange Of
names be an exchange of rights, upon prin
cipIe! By what rightfuI principle may :
State not being more than one fifteenth
part of the nation in soil aud population
break up the nation, and then coerce tnt
larger division of itself? What mysteri
Gus right to play tyrant is conferred on
district or country by merely calling 1t
State?
Mr.. Lincoln, in conclusion, said he was
not asserting any, but asked questions fol
them to consider and decide in their owl
minds what was right and what was wrong
Gov. Morton being loudly called for
appeared, ard spoke in congralulatory
tones 10 the gathering which was now i'm
mense.
AT seven o'clock this evening the mem
bers of the Legislature paid their respects
to the President elect, who is now holding
a reception at the Bales House.
The Presiden: elect and suit leave fo
Cincinnati tomorrow morning at ten O.
clock.