, 1865-02-07
sEnENADE TO Tf1E pFsEs1-
DENT.
A Speech from Old Abe-Hcmnrks by
Henry Ward keecheF.
fFrnu the Rn1tjmnre American Eeh 81


President Lincoln was serenaded Wednes-
day night about eleven O'Clock by the Mis-
souri, delegation, headed by H. F. Blow, who
wanted TO congratulate him on the passage
of the amendment to tho Constitution. In
the course Of his remarks, the President said
he supposed the passage Of the amendment
to the Constitution abolfshing slavery IN the
United States. which passed the House Tues
day, vas the cause Of this greeting. It was
the cause Of great cong1atulatiou to him. and
he supposed It was 10 those present. He be-
lieved the Administration had done its duty,
legislatures to do their duty. What he him
self had done, he believed he WIS able to stick
to. a voice: " You hive always done
tLat."] He understood Illinois had to-day
patsed the law abolishing. slavery In the
United States. and Maryland, he understood,
nois WAS little ahead.
He believed that it. waa very fitting, and
that 1t would be the winding up Of the pres
ent troubles. The emancipation proclama-
op had esea s in sd e o aes 5 sCg s1 an
were enjoying Its benefits, not u few having
ioined aims With us. The amendment LEFT
nothing behind it, and was the consummation
Of the great game they were playing.
Ward Beecher, who made most appropriate
and thrillfngly eloquent speech.
Mr.. Beechcr said he could not presume to
speak were he not good and loyal citizen :;
and haying received the command Of the
Conmandtr-in.Clicfo of the Armies OF tha
United States, In strict -subordinatlon he
In his widest dreams, seven or eight years
ago, he had never expected that he would one
day stand In the window Of the White House
at Washington, and address crowd Of loyal
Missourians who had come to congratulate
the President Of the United States on the pas
nF tf+rt ha ah1ff of
slavery. [App'ausc.] The days Of miracles
have not passed, for miracle has been nc
complished In this matter. Where has there
ever been an act done which will so rebound
to the honor Of q people as this act? Where
could be found another people who would
and 60 vel as he people: of this county.
And while the soldiers In the Held have been
doing their duty, the people at home have
not been idle, and they will not be upon the
question Of abolishing slavery. [Applanse.l
1Ee nation had done its duty, and # Will be
done in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont,
and probably in. Massachusetts,. lLaughtcr.1
It will be done in Connecticut aud Rhode
island and New Yofk, but It Won't be done In
Illinois.
Voice-Yes, II will.
Mr.. BcecheI-No, sir :; It Is done already.
Laughter and app:anse.] It will be done In
it he done in Kentucky?
Voice-Yes 1t Will Henderson says 50.
Air. Beccher-Then II MIR. Henderson SAYS
so, it will and II 1t Is done in Kentucky,
there Is hope that 1t will be done In New DER
sey and Delaware. Laughter and applause.l
:. But, continued the speaker, it must be
done everywhere. Slavery must be abolish
ed; 1t is abolished tApplause.1 Here were
many millions Of people who four long years
ago played for great stake. They hare lost,
and let them noT ta}ze the end Of the game.
[Applausc.] Each will now ret the reward
Of his own labor without distinction OF color.
AL are interested that each man shall be
master Of his own work, and each nau shall
receive the fruit Of his own labor. II we
could hive got At the subject 1t should have
been done before, The rebellion opened tho
way, and the best thing re could do has been
done, and tho amendment will benefit Mis-
eouri Immediately, for no State WAS ever mnrc
weighed down by this t'old man Of the sea"
than was that great State. fApPlausc;l
The speaker then pronounced glowing
eulogy upon Missouri, and said the old States
must look for Missouri, with her immense re-
sources, bids fair to outreach them MI. Ap-
plause-1 IfGod pleased, ths speaker contln-
ued, he would one day travel.orer every State
Japplausel, Savannah, Mobile, New Orleans,
md In St. Louis. (Applausc, and voices,
''come now" l. you can do 1t now."l And
xhen t1lat day arrived, he cnnld preach the
Gospel and not be hung for 1t. IG1eat ap-
p!ause.1 Alr. Becchcr concluded BY saying
that he could not wish his hearers many hap
py returns Of the day, for such canse for
graduation would never come again. Loud
applause.