Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-11
Presidents Linc0In's Speech at the
War Meeting in Washington.

FELLOW CITIZENS: | believe there is no prece-
dent for my appearing before you on this occa-
sion, Applause but il is also true that there is
no preceien; Tor YOUR being here yourselves;
Applause and aughter;l and l offer, in justifica-
ton of myself and oil you, that upon examina-
ton l have found nothing in the Constitution
against it. Renewed applause. /, however,
have an impression that there are young gentle
men who will entertain you better, Voices No,
no, none can do better than yourself; go on; and
better address your understanding than | will or
could. and thus propose to detain you but a mo-
ment longer [Cries-"Go Oni Tar and feather
the rebelsi'l
| am very little inclined on any occasion to say
anything unless 1 hope to produce some good by
it. A vOice-"You do that, 60 on" The
only thing | think of just now, not likely to be
better said by some one else, is matter in which
we have heard some other persons blamed for
what | did myself Voices-"What is itf"l
There has been very wide spread attempt to
have quarrel between General Mcclellan and
tie Secretary of War. Now | occupy position
that enables me believe at least these two gen
tlemen are not nearly so deep in the quarrel as
some presuming to be their friends Cries of
"Good."l Gen. McCleilan's attitude is such that
in the very selhShness of his nature he can not
but wish to be successful, and / hope he will, and
the Secretary of War Is precisely in the same
can not be successful, not only the Secretary of
War, but myself, for the time being the master of
them both. not be but failures. Laughter
and applause. l know that General Mcclellan
wishes to be successful, and know he does not
wish it any more than the Secretary of War for
him, and both of them together no more than
wish it. Applause and cries of Good II
Sometimes we have a dispute about how many
men General Mcclellan has had. and those who
would disparage him say he has had very large
number, and those who would disparage the Sec
rotary o. War insist that Gen. Mcclellan has had
is always wide difference, and on this occasion,
perhaps wider one, between the grand total on
McClellan's rolls and the men actually it for
duty; and those who would disparage him, talk
oil the grand total on paper, and those who would
disparage the Secretary of War, talk OF those at
present ft for duty. Gen. Mcclellan has some
times asked for things that the Secretary Of War
did not give him. General Mcclellan is not to
blame for asking for what he wanted and needed,
and the Secretary of War is not to blame for not
giving when he had none to give; Applause,
laughter, and cries of Good, good!'' and say
here, so far as / know, the Secretary of War has
withheld no one thing at any time in my power TO
give him. Wild applause, and voice, "Give
him enough nowl"l have no accusation against
him believe he is "A brave and able man-lap-
plausel land stand here. as justice requires me
to do. to take upon myself what has been charg-
ed on the Secretary of War, as Withholding from
him.
l have talked longer than expected to do
[Cries, ''No-no-go on" land now avail my
self OF my privilege of saying no more