The Portland daily press., 1869-01-12


pbrahnm Lincoln mt Cooper Institute.
In the last number of the Indep. ndent is an
article by President Tuttle on the memorable
speech of Abraham Lincoln delivered at Coop
er Institute February q, 1860. After explain
ing how Mr.. Lincoln happened to speak in
New York instead of Brooklyn, as was at first
intended, the writer proceeds:
Fortified with a ticket from my somewhat
radical friend Tilton, found my way early
to the hall, and was seated on the platform not
ten fee from the speaker. At last, his tall,
awkward form was seen, following in the wake
of Bryant of the Post Greeley of the Trib-
une, Gen. Nye, and others. How well re-
member his appearance as he was greeted with
applause worthy the man who had fought so
good fight with the Bonaerges of Democracy
in the Prairie State; and the object of it SEEM
ed unconscious of it, as if this welcome were
for some one else. 1t was scene that might
well awaken some anxiety and pride in him.
That great hall was packed full of people
there toj hear him. He has a national tame
for what he did in Illineis; can he sustain it
before New York audience? -.a
As yet we had only seen him; and for one,
whilst Mr.. Bryant was making the speech of
introduction, / fonpd myself carious to know
what kind of voice this Western orator had
1 have met disappointment in such men as
Benton, Jefferson Davis, and Sam. Houston;
but the thin, squeaky, voice of Mr.. Lincoln
was the worst OF them all. 1t seemed to me
pitched most uncomtortably high, and to come
out with labor. To add to my chagrin, he held
in his hand a pile Of manuscript, and, after o
very unambitious introduction, read the fa-
nous sentence from Mr.. douglass speech in
Columbus, which was to constitute the text of
the evening "Our fathers, when they framed
the government under which we live, under
stood this question just as well and even bet
ter than we do now"
1t was read and yet was charmed with
the clear frankness with which he admitted
the statement and announced the question:
what was the understanding those fathers
had of the question announced?"
For at least half an hour the orator read
closely and slavishly from his manuscript, un-
til he reached the passage beginning, Dut
enough" etc. Thus far it had been mastery
examination Of the history OF the Oonstitution
in relation to slavery, who us trainers were,
what were their opinions and votes-all bear
mo most directly against the Democratic doc
trine of the day. 1t was SO clear and pertin-
ant that the vast audience listened with evil
dent delight but very little enthusiasm. 1 i'm
aoine there was a general disappointment, not
mike my own; but when the orator, laying
down his paper, pronounced the passage be-
ginning as already said. with an air of tri-
umph and confidence, the great mass could
not contain their delight. From that time un-
til he closed, he rarely referred to his manu-
script; but spoke with wonderful selfpossess-
ion and clearness. 1 have put down that
speech as, on the whole, the most compact
clear, and convincing one have ever heard.
His description OF Conservatism" and his
shrewd claim of it for his own party, and his
charge ON his opponents of abandoning it,
was overwhelming in its effect. As he spoke
of those who, with one accord reject, and
scout, and spit upon that old policy of the ia-
thers," to adopt a policy, characterized vn;' VIII
the utmost humor as the "gur-reat ptber no
third man should object, Enthusiastically called
popular sovereignty" the great ball presented
scene not to be forgotten Peopie s,1se ,i an9 iii
cheered and spun hats in the ab ana snen aid
trat;on Of imnaline not only his antagonist,
but a the net theory which he bestrode for a
ride to the White House, was rarely witnessed
in any assembly