The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-11-16
Another Speech Of President
Lincoln.
HIS VIEWS OF THE LATE POLITICAL
CONTEST.

The several Lincoln and Johnson Clubs
of the District OF Columbia called on
President Lincoln on Thursday night,
and gave him a sGrenade in honor Of his
re election There was 10 addition an
immense concourse of spectators of both
sexes in front Of the Executive Mansion.
The firing of a feld-pieee was of frequent
occurrence, adding to the excitement Of
the occasion.
The President appeared at an upper
window, and, when the cheers with which
he vas greeted had ceased, spoke as
follows:
1t has long been grave question
whether any Government, not too strong
for the liberties of its people, can be
strong enough to maintain its existence
in great emergencies.
"On this point the present rebellion
has brought our Republic to a severe
test and a Presidential election occurr-
ing IL regular course during the Rebel
lion, has added not a little to the strain.
If the loyal people united were put to
the utmost Of their strength by the re-
bellion, must they not fail when divided
and partially paraIyzed by political war
among themselves But the election
was necessity. We cannot have free
Government without elections; and if the
rebellion could force US to forego or post
poue a national election, it might fairly
claim to have already conquered and ru-
iaed u.s.
"The strife of the election is but human
nature practically applied to the facts of
the case. What has occurred in this case
must ever recur in similar cases HUI
man pature will not change. In any fu-
ture great national trial, compared with
the men who have passed through this
we shall have as weak and as strong, as
silly and as wise, as bad and as good
Let US, therefore, study the incidents of
this as philosophy to learn wisdom from,
and none of them as wrongs to be re-
venged. Cheers
But the election, along with its Incl
dental and undesirable strife has done
good too. 1t has demonstrated that a
peoples Government can sustain Ma
tional election in the midst of great
civil war. Renewed cheers. Until now
it has not been proven to the world that
this was possibility. 1t shows, also,
how sound and how strong we still are.
1t shows that, even among candidates Of
the same party, be who is most devoted
to the Union aud most opposed to treason
can receive most of the peoples vote
TApplause. 1t shows, also, to the ex-
tent yet unknown, that we have more
men now than we had when the war be-
gan. Gold is good in It's place, but liv-
ing, brave, patriotic men are better than
gold. TCheers, and other demonstrations
of applause But the rebellion contln-
ues, and now that the election is over,
may not all, having a common interest,
re-unite in a common effort to save our
common country? [Cheers.]
"For my own part, I have striven and
shall strive, to avoid placing any obstacle
in the way. [Cheers. So long as have
been here have not willingly planted a
thorn in any mans bosom. While [ am
deeply sensible to the high compliment
of reelection, and duly grateful, as l
trust, to Almighty God for having d.
rected my countrymen to a right conclu,
sion, as / think, for their own good, it
adds nothing to py satisfaction that any