Year: 1861

to the distraction in this country, hoped
that resort to arms would never become
necessary. To avert that calamity, he
would be sustained by the people. He
brought an earnest heart to work, and it
would be no fault of his ii be failed. The
President proceeded to the Capitol, where
be was welcomed by the Speakers of both
Houses. Mr.. LINCOLN addressed the Leg.
islature as follows


appear before you for a very few brief
remarks, in response to what has been said
to me. l thank you most sincerely for this
reception and the generous words in which
support has been promised me upon this
occasion. l thank your great common.
wealth for the overwhelming support it re-
Gently gave, not me personally, but the
cause l represent. Applause.] Allusion
has been made to the interesting fact, per.
haps l should say, that for the first time l
appear at the capital of the great common
wealth of Pennsylvania on the birthday of
the Father of our Country.


In connection with that beloved anniver-
sary connected with the history of this
country, l have already gone through many
interesting scenes. This morning, in the
ceremonies at Philadelphia, under the kind
conduct of gentlemen there. l was for the
first time allowed the privilege of standing
in Old independence Hall, Enthusiastic ap-
plause, and to have few words address,
ed me there, and affording me an opportu-
nifty OF expressing with much regret that l
had not more time to express something of
my own feelings, and somewhat to harmon.
ize and give shape to the feelings that had
been really the feelings of my whole lite /;
besides this, our friends there had provided
magnificent flag OF the country, and they
had arranged 1t so that 1 was given the
honor of first raising it to the head of the
staff, lapplause, and when it went up 1
was pleased that it went to its place by the
strength of my own feeble arms.


When, according to the arrangement, the
cord was pulled, and it faunted gloriously
to the wind, without an accident, in the
light of the glowing sunshine this morning,
could not help hoping there was in the
entire success of that beautiful ceremony, at
least something of omen of what is to
come. Loud Applause.1


Nor could I help feeling then, as l often
have felt, that in that whole proceeding l
was very humble instrument. / had not
provided the flag; l had not made the ar.
rangement for elevating it to its place; l
had applied but very small portion even
of my feeble strength in raising it. In the
whole transaction l was in the hands of
people who had arranged it, and if can
but secure the generous co operation of the
people of this nation, l think the flag of our
country may yet be kept Haunting glorious
ly. Enthusiastic cheering.


| recur for a moment to repeat some
words uttered at the Hotel in regard to
what had been said about military support
the General Government may expect from
the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in any
emergency to guard against any possible
mistake, do | recur to this. 1t is not with
any pleasure that contemplate any posi-
bility that necessity may arise in the coun-
try to use the military arm, Applause,]
while l am exceedingly gratiied to see man.
Hesitation upon your streets of your military
force here, and exceedingly grati6ed at your
promise here to use that force upon proper
emergency. While l make these acknowl-
edgments, l desire to repeat, in order to
preclude any possibility Of misconstruction
that do most sincerely hope we shall have
no use for them. Great applause, That
it will never become their duty to shed
blood, and most especially, to shed fraternal
blood. / promise that, in so far as may
have wisdom to direct and if painful re.
suit shall be brought about, it shall be
through no fault of mine. Cheers.] AL
lusion has been made by one of your honor
ed speakers to some remarks recently made
by myself at Pittsburg, in regard to what
is supposed to be of special interest to the
great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. l
now wish only to say, in regard to that
matter, that the few remarks which l ut.
tered on that occasion, were rather careful
ly worded, and | have seen no occasion since
to add to them, or subtract from them.


leave them precisely as they stand,
Applause. adding only now, that I am
pleased that have an expression from you,
gentlemen of Pennsylvania, whichis signif-
cant. They are satisfactory to you. And
now, gentlemen, of the General Assembly
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, al
low me again to tender to you my most sim
cere thanks. -el i,


Mr.. Lincoln passed the evening with his
friends, and receiving visitors.