Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-11-18
SPEEcH or PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
HIS VIEWS OF THE LATE POLITICAL
CONTESH

The several Lincoln aad Jehason Clubs Of the
Dlstrlst of Columbia called on President Lin
coin on Thursday night, and gave him a serenade
10 flonor of his re-election. There was in addi-
h'1n an immense concourse of spectators of both
sexes IN front of the Executive Mansion. The f.
rdng ofa field piece was Of frequent occurrence,
adding to the excitement Of the occasion.
The President appeared at an upper window,
and, when the cheers which he was 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 exis
tence in great emergencies.
On this point the present rebellion has broueh {
our Republic to severe test and President al
election occurring in regular course during the re
bellion, has added not a little to the streap, II
the loyal people united were put to the utrant u
their strength BY the rebellion, plusst thew NOT fAl
when divided and partially araIi,1ed by n nnt;cal
war among themselves? But the election ygas
necessity. We cannot have a free Govrrnn1ant
without elections and if tt q rebellion rond force
us to forego or postpone national election 4
might fairly claim to ha se already conquered and
ruined us.
THE strife Of the lection is but human nature
has occurred in this case must ever reepr in
lar cases. Hump.n nature will not change. IN
any future great national trial. compared with the
men who nave passed through this we shall have
as weak and rs strong, as silly and as wise, as bad
ana as COED Let US, therefore, study the ind
dents OF TINS as philosophy to learn wisdom from.
and none of them as wrongs to be reyenged.2
Cheers.
But the election, along with its incidental and
undesirable strife, has done good too. 1t has de-
monstrated that peoples Government can s,,s-
tam National election in the midst of great
war, tRenewed cheers Until now it has not
been proven to the world that this was possibil.
ltyi y;, lt shows, also, kow sound and strong we
still are 1t shows That even among candidates
OF the the same party, he who is most devoted to
the unIon and mosC opposed to treason can receive
most OF the people S vote. Applause 1t shows
aso TO the extent yet unknown, that we have
m more men now than we had when the war began
uola Is good IN its place, but living, brave, patIi
otlc men are better than gold (Cheers and 9TH
q uehionstr itlons OF applause But the rebellion
continues, nd now that the election is over, may
not all, nav ing common interest, rc-unte in a
(Cheers
For ly own part / have striven, and shall
s5TlYe, avoid placing any obsticle in the way
lCheers So long as | have been here I have
not no, VII lngy planted thorn in any mans bosom.
y hiie am deeply sensible TO the high compliment
OF r. rejection, and duly grateful as l trust to
AIM ghty God for having directed my countrymen
70 a. conclusion, as Think for their own good
II a. ids nothing to my satisfaction that any other
ms N may be disappointed or pancd BY the result
4 heers.) May / ask those who have not differ
e with me to join with me in this same spirit to-
yards those who have? And now let me close bv
asking three hearty cheers for our brave soldiers
and seamen, and their gallant and skiful comman-
ders /"
The Three cheers were enthusiastically given.
accompanied by music and the sound of the can
non.