Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-05-03
Abraham Lincoln In Independence
Hall


We print on this day the report of
the speech of the late President Abra-
ham Lincoln in independence Hall, on
February 22d, 1861, Washington's birth
day, when he was on his route to Wash
ington for the purpose of his inaugura-
ton. II was his first speech in Philadel-
phia, and the portions which we have
italicised give evidence both that be
looked forward to the probability of as
sassination, and that what be said or
did, he was, God willing, ready to die
by" ... ... .s..t .t.,,.
al am filed with deep emotions at
finding myself standing here in the place
where were collected together the wis.
dom, the patriotism, the devotion TO
principle, from which sprung the institu-
tions under which we live. You have
kindly suggested to me that in my hands
is the task of restoring peace to a dis
tracted country. can say in return,
sir, that all the political sentiments en-
tertain have been drawn, so far as |
have been able TO draw them, from the
sentiments which originated, and were
given to the world in this hall In which
we stand. have never had feeling,
politically, that did not spring from the
sentiments embodied in the Declaration
Of Independence. have pondered over
the tolls that we're endured by the officers
and soldiers of the army who achieved
that independence. have often in
ouired of myself what great principle or
idea it was that kept this Confederacy
50 long together. 1t was not the mere
matter of separation from the mother
land, but something in that Declaration
giving liberty, not alone to the people Of
this country, but hope for the world for
all future time. It was that which gave
promise that in due time the weights
should be lifted from the shoulders Of
all men, and that all should have an
equal chance. This is the sentiment
embodied in the Declaration of Inde-
! pendenee.
'rHow, my friends, can this country
be saved upon that basis2 If ii can, l
will consider myself one of the happiest
men in the world II | can help TO save
Fit. If it can't be saved upon that prin'
ciple, it will betruly awful But II this
country cannot be SGUed soithotn giving
ap that principle, I sOas about to say
toould rather be asSassiRated on this
spot than to surrender IL.
Now, in my view OF the present
aspect Of affairs, there is no need o
bloodshed and war. There is no neces
sity for it. am not in favor Of such I
course, and may say in advance tha
there will be no bloodshed unless it b.
forced upon the Government The Gov
ernment will not use force unless forc'
) be used against it. Prolonged appIsus
and cries of That's the proper senti
ment'1 Ny friends, this is wholly un
prepared speech | did not expect to b
called ON TO say word when | cam
: here. supposed was merely to d
something toward raising the flag.
. may, therefore, have said something IN
discreet. But I hare said nothing bu
tchd / am toillinS to lire by, and, an N
pleasure of Almighty God, die by." q
Q We reproduce this report verbatim
the President himself having mentiout
: 70 our reporter that it was the most faitl
|. . ful verbal Interpretation in type of an
e his speeches which had ever been mad
g We reproduce 1t, not on account OF thi
= but with the simple impulse to lay B
fore our readers the frst words ever U
- tered in public in this city by Abrahs'
Lincoln-the more especially ss the
mark the idea which had so frequent
obtruded itself upon bis mind, that
= might ultimately become the victim
sectional vengeance.
Philadelphia Press.