The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-10-04
unpublished Speech of Prest-
dent Lincoln.

w. Forney delivered thrilling speech.
After referring to the attempt of Presi-
dent johnson, in his Philadelphia speech,
to cast edium on the Union League,
which he insinuated was an organization
formed for the subversion of the Consti-
tuition of the United States, he said:
GAS [ read over his maudlin phrases, [
remembered an occasion early in 1864,
when, as member of committee, or
rather accompanying the committee, for
tiien [ was officially resident in Washing
ton, We waited upon Mr.. Lincoln for the
purpose of presenting to him certain
resolutions which had been unanimously
adopted by the Union League of Phila-
delphia, demanding at the hands of the
National Convention his renomina tion for
the Presidency. 1t was peculiar occa-
sion.
"1 shall never forget the earnestness
with which Mr.. MMichael, the Chairman
of the Committee, presented the resolu-
tions, and the quaint and singular manner
with which Mr.. Lincoln responded to the
request of tho League. Mr. Lincoln
himself, on that occasion, presented SO
peculiar a contrast to the speeches of
Andrew johnson, and particularly to the
one to which [ have referred, that turn
ed to the notes which I took on that
occasion, and was fortunate enough to 6nd
the original speech, as i. had been taken
down by the reporter, but never yet pub
lished. [ have that speech in my hand
now, and will read it, that you may'draw
the contrast between it and the incoherent,
blasphemous, conceited and raving ha-
rangues which have fallen from the Presi-
dent of the United States, made his
successor by the bullet of John Wilkes
Bovth. Mr. NJ Michael, in his peculiarly
graceful way, had presented the resolu-
tions of the League. Mr. Lincoln desired
US to remain seated, and said be would
make his reply in his own ia niliar way.
You will recollect that very serious
organization had been prepared to defeat
his denomination, growing, doubtless, out
of opinions honestly entertained, out the
effect of which was to arouse the solici-
tude Of our people. Then this great body,
our League, which has been to Phiiadel-
phia not simply party affair, but a
benevolence and charity without parallel,
venture to say, in the history OF civili-
zation-this great organization responded
to the national demand, and took the lead
in insisting that our illustrious President
should be placed in nomination for q
second term Mr.. Lincoln said:
"I suppose all men are moro or less
selfish, and I do not suppose that l am an
exception to the rule: [ very freely
acknowledge that this manifestation-of
- I x-y1 oh
is now formally presented to me-of the
confidence Of the Union League of Phila-
delphia, is very grateful to my feelings
If it should extend to the presentation of
what is similar to i by the whole nation,
it would, by it's comparatively greater size,
be still more grateful to my feelings
When this is said: so far as personal and
selfish considerations are concerned, all is
said that is pleasant to me ia the light Of
being here four years more. 1t is a
situation which has been to me one of
painful anxiety and toll far beyond
anything [ had ever before conceived of.
Having said this much in regard to the
mere sel6shnoss of the matter and the
personality of the matter, viii state
briefly what | suppose to be the duty of
every true man in the country, myself
included, and that is to do whatever he
can that will best advance the great cause
of saving our country Now, | shall
shrink from nothing that shall appear to
me to be required of me for that object
[ shall not shrink from another mans
nomination for the Presidency with any
greater hesitation than [ would from my
own. IF It shall oe made toappear in any
way that the elements upon which the
salvation of the country is to depend can
be better combined by dismissing me, the
country can have no difficulty in getting
rid of me. On the contrary, | suppose
need not hesitate in saying here that, If
it shall appear to be the best way of con-
centrating and consolidating the forces
upon which the salvation ofthe country is TO
epend to use me further, can say do
not shrink from it. Now, do not know
that it is best to publish this +; but, after
what has been said to me, [ could not
avoid making it public. 1t is easy to
say that | am in the field openly for the
Presidency-canvassing for it, [ hope /
am not. do not think it is good for the
country that it should be SO construed and
understood. I am sure, here tonight, in
the presence Of. you, gentlemen, and the
Almighty, that there is not one act that1
am conscious of having done, that looked
20 this end for myself, that looked to any
personal end, think a man should, in
times like these, so keep. ,himseH as TO be
conscious thar whatever he.Pshas done IN
this high position, and especially IN these
extraordinary, difficult times, he has done
only for the good of the countryA | am