Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-02
The Presidents Reply to the Manchester
Working Men.

The Presidents Reply to the Manchester
Working Men.
In December last, while the subsidized
English press, headed by the unscrupu-
lOUs Times, was devoiing itself to the ig-
nominious work of defaming the Federal
Government and extolling that Of the Com
federacy; and while incendiary appeals
were made to the suffering operatives to
rise and demand of the Government receg-
milton of the Confederacy, that they might
have work, the working men Of Manshes-
ter met in council and resolved, with the
dignity and honor Of true men, that the
insurgents were rebels and nothing less,
and that the Federal Government was do
ing but its duty in seeking to crush the
rebellion. They further resolved that Pres
ident Lincoln was faithful to the trusts
imposed upon him and deserved the respect
Of mankind. To their address and resolu-
tons the President returned the following
reply:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, Jan. 10, 1863
10 tte HOfhtlt9Nleu gJ 4AdhcheottJ
have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of the address and resolutions which
you sent to me on the eve Of the new year,
When I came on the 4th day Of March
1881, through free and constitutional
election, to preside in the Government Of
the United States, the country was found
at the verge of civilwaT. Whatever might
have been the cause, or whosesoever the
fault, one duty, paramount to all others,
was before me, namely, to maintain and
preserve at once the Constitution and in
fegrity Of the Federal Republic. A con-
scienti0us purpose to perform this duty is
the key TO all the measures Of administra-
ton which have been, and TO all which
viii hereafter be, pursued. Under our
frame Of Government, and my official oath,
could not depart from this purpose if
would. 1t is not always in the power Of
Governments to enlarge or restrict the
scope Of neral results, which follow the
policies that they may deem it necessary,
for the public safety, from time to time to
adopt
IhaTe understood well that the duty Of
self-preservation rests solely with Ameri-
can people. But have at the same time
been aware that favor or disfayor Of for
eign natioI might have q material inhu-
ence in enlarging and prolonging the
struggle with disloyal men in which the
country is engaged. A fair examination
OF history has seemed to authorize a belief
that the past action and influences of the
United States were generally regarded as
having been beneficial toward mankind.
have. therefore, reckoned upon the forbear-
snee Of nations. Circumstances, 10 some
of which you kindly allude, induced me es-
pecially 10 expect that, if justice and good
faith should be practiced BY the United
States, they would encounter no hostile
z influence on the part Of Great Britain. It
q is now pleasant duty to acknowledge the
demonstration you have given of your de-
sire that q spirit Of peace and amity to-
ward this cOantry may prevail in the ooun-
ellis Of your Queen, who is respected sud
esteemed in your own country only more
than she is by the kindred nation which
has its home on this side Of the Atlantic.
/ know snd deeply deplOre The suffer
ings WhieL the w0rkingmen at Manehes-
ter, and in all Europe, are called to endure
in this crisis Il has been often and stu
diously represented that the attempt to
overthrow this Government, which was
built upon the foundation Of human rights,
and 10 substitute for il one which should
rest exclusively VI Al6 DAsA5 VI AuLLAdu
slavery, was likely te obtain the favor Of
Europe. Through the action Of our dis
loyal citizens, the workingmen Of Europe
have been subjected to a severe trial, for
gi the purpose Of forcing their sanction to
that attempt Under these circumstances,
cannot but regard your decisive utter
ances upon the question as an instance Of
sublime Christian heroism which has not
been surpassed in any age orin any coun-
try. Il is indeed an energetic and rein
spring assurance Of the inherent power Of
truth. and Of the ultimate and universal
triumph Of justice humanity and freedom
do not doubtthatthe sentiments youhsVe
expressed viii be sustained by your great
nation; and, on the other hand, have nc
hesitation in assuring you that they will
excite admiration, esteem and the most re-
ciprocal feelings Of friendship among the
American people. I hail this interchange
Of sentiment, therefore, as an augury that
whatever else may happen, whatever mis-
fortune may befau your country or my
own, the peace and friendship which nov
exist between the two nations will be, as j
shall be my desire to make them, perpet
uaL
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
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