Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-09-07
AN INTERESTING PREsENTAT TON
TO PRESIDENT IlNCOIN

This afternoon committee of the loyal COL
orcd people of Baltimore, Maryland, consisting
of the following gentlemen, Rev. A. W. Way
man, chairman; Rev. 8. W. Chase, Rev. W.
II. Brown, VIM. II. Francis, and Albert G.
Carroll, waited on the President for the pur-
pose of presenting him with copy of the Holy
Bible. They were received by the President in
his Office, at the Executive Mansion.
Mr.. II. stockett Matthews, OF the Third
Electoral District of Maryland, introduced the
committee to the President, each one of whom
he took by the hand, after which Rev. s. W.
Chase, on the part of the committee, said;
Mr.. President: The loyal colorcd people of
Baltimore have dedicated to us the uthority to
present this Bible, as token of their appreci-
alton OF your humane part towards thu people
OF our race. While all the nation are offering
their tribute of respect, VIC cannot let the occa
sion pass by without rendering our respect
Since we have been incorporated In the Ameri-
can family we have been true and loyal, and
we now stand by, ready to defend the country.
We are ready TO be armed and trained in mill
tary matters, in order 10 pro.cct and defend tt
Star.spangled Banner.
Our hearts will ever feel the most unbounded
gratitude towards you. We come forward to
present copy OF the Holy Scriptures as a token
cause OF emancipation. This great event will
he matter of history. In future, when our
sons snail ask what mean these to'S ems, they
w'ii be told OF your mighty acts, and rise up
and call you blessed.
The loyal colored people will Iemen lber your
kXcellency at the throne of Divine Grace.
May the King Eternal, an all wise Pro yldenee,
protect and keep you, and when you ass from
THIS world, may you be borne to the b osom of
your Saviour and God.
The President, in reply, said: at wo uld be
very fitting occasion to make a respt ,nse at
length to the very appropriate address which
you have just made. would do SO i'll were
prcpared.' would promise you to make re-
sponse in writing had not experience aught
me that business will not allow me to 10 SO.
can only say now, as have often said b, .fore,
II has always been a sentiment with me that
all mankind should be free.
30 far as have been able, SO far as came
within my sphere, have always acted as he
hcycd was right and just, and done all l could
for the good of mankind. have in letters and
documents sent forth from this office expressed
myself better than l can now. In regard to
the great book have only to say, 1t is the best
sht which God has ever given man.
MI the good from the Savior of the World is
communicated to us through this book But
for that look VIC could not know right from
wrong. All those things desirable to man are
contained in 1t. return you m sincere thanks
for thIs very elegant copy Of this great book of
God which you present"
The book in size is imperial quarto. bound
In royal purple velvet. On tho upper eide of
the cover Is solid IS carat gold plate, nine
and half inches in circumference, bearing a
design representing the President In the act of
removing the shackles from a slave. On the
lower side of the cover is solid IL carat gold
plate four inches long and two inches wide,
bearing the following inscription
ITO Abraham Lincoln, President of the
United States, from tho loyal colored people of
Baltimore, as token of respect and gratitude.
Baltimore, 4th July, 1864"
Accompanying the Bible is a solid black
walnut case with silver plate on the lid,