Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-06-23
THE PRESIDENTS VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA

1t has been announced that President LINCOLN eit
Washington Thursday morning to visit the Sanitary
Fair at Philadelphia He arrived there between ii and
IL O'clock and formsly received by the municipal
authorities and by depuaton from the Managers OF the
Fair who conducted him the Continental Hotel where
had been provided for him. The streets through
which he passed decorated with flags and crowded
with people, who greeted their distinguished vser with
frequent and enthusiastic cheers.
After remaining at the Hotel until about four o'clock,
the President accompanied by Mrs. Lincoln and their
son, proceeded to the Fair examining which and ndug
ing the cvty of shaking hands with many OF the immense
throng with which it crowded he spent between two
and three hours Retiring then to the supper where
banquet had been provided the President joined by
Governor CANNON of Delaware, Elk Governor Pollock,
the Hon. EDWARD EVERETT, and number of other dis
tueuished gentlemen Here, after dsposing Of the vands
the health of the President given in bumper which
ELECTED from him the following speech:
SPEECH OF MR. LINCOLN.
suppose that this toast intended to open the way
for me IT, say something
magnitude and in it's DURATION of the most terrible
1t has deranged BUSINESS totally in many localities aud
partially in all localities 1t has destroyed property and
ruined homes it has produced national debt and taxation
mourning to almost every home until it almost be said
that the heavens arc hung in black"
Yet the continues and several relieving cOlncdents
have accompanied it from the very beginning which have
not been known, understand, have any knowledge
Of in any former wars in the history OF the world The
Sanitary Commission with all its benevolent lahore the
Christian Commission with all its christian and beneyo
lent abOrs and the various places arrangements, to
speak, and institutions have contributed to the comfort
and relief of the soldiers You have two of these places in
this eligible CooperShop and Union Volunteer Refresh
ment Saloons. And lastly these Fairs which, believe
begsn only in last August, if mistake not, Chicago
then at Boston, at Cincinnati BROOKLYN New York, at
Dit. L .Il a.
burgb, and Philadelphia The motive and object that lie
at the bottom of all these most worthy tor say what
you will, after all, the most is due to the soldier, who
takes his life 10 his hands and goes to fight the battles Of
his country In what contributed to his comfort when
he passes to and fro and in what is contributed to him
when he 10 sick aud woupded in whatever shape it comes
whether from tho fair and tender hand of woman or from
any other source it is much very much. But think
that there is still that which is of as much value to him in
the continual reminders he in the newspapers that
while he s absent he is yet remembered by the loved
ut home. Another Wow OF these various institutions,
may call them is worthy of consideration, think
They voluntary contributions, given zeaously and
nesty top of all the disturbances of business of all the
disorders OF all the taxation and OF all tire burdens that
the has imposed upon u.s. giving proof that the
tons not at all exhausted and that the
tobsl spirit of patriotism 6rmer and stronger than
at the commencement Of the
1t is pertinent question: often asked in the mind pr
vaey and from to the other when is the to end
Surely feel deep interest in this question any
other cau but do not wish to day month,
year when it is to end do not wish to any risk of
seeing the time come without being ready for the end
for fear Of Disappointment because the time had and
not the end. We accepted this for object,
worthy object and the will end when that obi ct is
attained Under God, hope il will end until that
time Speaking OF the present campaign General Grant
reported to have said going through on this line If it
takes all summer. This has taken three years it
was tegun accepted upon the line Of restoring the
national authority the whole national domain and for
the American people, as far as my knowledge enables me
to speak we going through on this line il it takes
three years more
My friends, did not know but that might be called
upon to say few words before got away from here but
did not know it was coming just here. have never
been n the habit Of making predictions in regard to the
war, but am almost tempted to make III were to
hazard IL it is ths That Grant s this evening with Gen.
Meade and Gen. Hancock aud the brave officers and SOL
ders with him. in position from whence he will be
dslodged until Richmond 10 taken and have but
single proposition to put now and perhaps can best put
it in the form Of nterrogatve If shall discover that
Gen. Grant and the noble ofcers and under him
be greatly facilitated in their work by sudden pouring
forward OF men and asstance will you give them to me
Are your ready to merch ICries of "yes."1 Then,
say, stand ready, for watching for the chance.
thank you, gentlemen. Laughter and cheers.
This speech repeatedly interrupted by applause and
at it's close three cheers given for the Army Of the
Potomac and successive cheers for Grant and Meade and
Hancock, and their brave soldiers. In the meantime the
President retired from the room.
The next toast given was Edward Everett In peace
and in war the statesman aud the patriot" to which Mr.
Everett responded In brief address complimentary to this
and similar Fairs and in eIaation Of the part borne in
them by the women who had thus abored assduousy
to alleviate the suffering bind up the wounds soothe the
Sorrows and lessen the scons Of the brave engaged
on the battlefield ADD Of their families at home.
Other tosst and speeches added to the entertainment
Of the company until the arrival Of the hour for the return
of the President TO bis quarters at the Continental