The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-02-03
From the Washington Sunday Chronicle. ]
ANECDOTES OF PUBLIC MEN.
BY COL. j. W. FORNEY.

Who will ever forget Friday, the 22d of
February, 1861, when Abraham Lincoln
rode down Chestnut street, Philadelphia,
from the Continental Hotel, for the pur-
pose of raising the American flag in front
of Independence Hallo The spot, newly
sanctifed by that patriotic deed, has re-
Gently been additionally hallowed by an
exquisite marble life-size statue of Wash
ington, executed by that fine artist, Baille,
and paid for by the contributions of the
public school children of the First School
District of Pennsylvania.
All his speeches on his way to Washing
ton seemed to be peryaded by consciousness
of his danger and determination to do his
duty. He was greeted by affectionate
crowds at every station, but as he ap-
preached Philadelphia he became more
serious and resolved. In his reply to Mayor
Henry, of that city, on the 21st of Febru-
wish, in which join, that it were conven-
lent for me to remain long enough to con-
suit, or rather to listen to- those breathings
arising within the consecrated walls in
which the Constitution of the United
States and, will add, the Declaration of
Independence, were originally framed and
adopted. All my political warfare has been
in favor of those teachings. Nay my right
hand forget its cunning, and my tongue
cleacs to the rocf Of my mouth, if eser I
prore false to those teachings.''
The next day he was escorted to indie
pendence Hall. 1t was an early winter
morning, and as the President had to visit
the Legislature at Harrisburg, in the after
noon, in special train that was to leave
at $50, what was to be done had to be
done quickly. In front of the Ancient
Temple of Liberty platform was erected,
from which Mr.. Lincoln was to raise the
national flag with its thirty four stars. AS
he approached the sacred spot, i'll a ear
riage drawn by four white horses, escorted
carried to victory in Mexico twelve years
before, the scene was highly dramatic
The whole populace was in the streets, and
their excitement and enthusiasm baffied
description. 1t recalled Shakspeare's pic
ture of Bolinbroke's entrance into Lon
don:
"You would have thought the very win
dows spake,
So many greedy looks of young and old
Through easements darted their desiring
eyes
Upon his visage; and that all the walls,
With painted imagery, had said at once:
s.Jesu preserve thee. Welcome Bolinbroken
Whilst he, from one side to the other turn
ing,
Bareheaded, lower than his proud steed's
neck,
Bespoke them thus: Il thank, you, coun-
trymen;'
And this stiN doing, thus he passed along"
Leaving the carriage at the door, he
entered, uncovered, the sacred Hall of
Independence. And there it was that he
used the language that now sounds like
solemn prophecy:
"That Declaration of Independence
gave liberty, not alone to the people of this
country, but hope for the world for all
future time. 1t was that which gave pro-
mise that in our time the weight should be
lifted from the shoulders of all men, and
that all should haze an equal chance. This
is the sentiment embodied IN the Declara-
ton of Independence. Now, my friends,
can this country be saved upon that basis ?
If it can, l will consider myself one of the
bappiest men in the world if can save it,
IF It cannot be saved upon that principle,
Il will he ..,uly awful. But If THIS country
cannot be saced u"hout gio,ng up that prin-
ciple-I ooas about to sag lacou1d rather be
assassinated on this spot than surrender It,
And then, after few more words, he added
soIemnly, as he drew his tall form to its
fullest height, "Thare said nothing but "hat
lam aciuing to lire III, gpd, in tie pleasure
of Almighty God, TO DIE BY
He had inst been freshly warned of his
,e,;, and when he walked forth to face the
mighty coneo..rse outside, and mounted
the platform, ''his tasi !t,ryn rose Saul like
above the mass He stood eies4t@.1r and
alone before the people, and, with his over
coat on, grasped the halyards to draw up
the flag. Thea, 4sase a shout like the roar
of many waters. Mr.. Lin-oln's expression
was serene and confident. ExtenniaGs his
long arms, he slowly drew up the standard
which ns.4 never before kissed the light OF
asavep, It'll it a2ase4Q oyer the Hall Of indie
= Tears, prayers, snoHHts, music
pendenc.. usxs5 and sealed al aGE
and cannon TO - .he beginning qf
which few knew was onIy -"--s, e{9-
unspeakable sufferings and sacrl'.>
ing in his own martyrdom. That same
afternoon, at Harrisburg, he spoke OF his