Year: 1861

press.


PROGRESS OF THE PRESIDENT ELECT.


THE RECEPTION AT TRENTON


TRENTON, Feb. 2l.-The crowd in the city to wit
ness the arrival of Mr.. Lincoln was immense, The
special tran bearing the President elect and suite
arrived at ll.5O A. NJ. Mr.. Lincoln came out OF
the car at the depot, and was met by Mayor Mills
OF Trenton, who welcomed Mr.. Lincoln in a neat
address.


The Mayor then introduced the President elect
to the President of the Common Council and the
members there The party were then taken in car.
riages to the State House. The crowd of people to
be seen was perfectly alarming, vet the efficient
police arrangements of the Mayor and Common
Council enabled the party to reach the State Capt.
tol in safety.


Arriving at the State House. he was first intro
duced to the Senate, and the President of the Sen
ate IN very eloquent speech, received him. when
Mr. Lincoln replied as follows:


SPEECH OF Mr.. LINCOLN IN THE SENATE


Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate of the Stat
OF New Jersey am very grateful you for the honor
aole reception of which have been the object
put remember the place that New Jersey holds in ou
early history In the early revolutionary struggle few
the States among the old thirteen had more of the battle
fields of the country within their limits than old New
ton that away back in my childhood the earliest ays
my being able to read, got hold of book such
one as lew OF the younger members have ever seen
'Weem's Life of Washington" remember all the ac
counts there given of the batteelds and STRUGGLES m
the liberties OF the country, and fixed themse We
upon my Imagi so deeply the struggle here
Trenton New Jersey The crossing of the river the
test with the essians the great hardships endured a
that time, all fixed themselves my memory more tha,
any single Revolutionary event; and you ali know fo
you have all been boys how these early impressions las
longer than any others l rccolect thinking then bo,
even though l was, that there must have been some
thing more than common that these men struggled
am exceedingly anxious that that thing which thev
struggled for that something even more than Nationa
independence; that something that held great prom
ise to all the people of the world all time to am
exceedingly anxious that this Union the Constitution and
the liberties of the people shall be pepetuated in accord
ance with the original idea for which that struggle was
made, and shall be most happy indeed if l shall be an
humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty and o
thls ms almost chosen people the chosen instrument
also in the hands of the Almighty for perpetuatnr the
orJect OF that great struggle. You give this recep-
ton, as understand, without distinction of party
learn that this body is composed of majority OF gentle
men, who IN the eXeron of their best Judgment in the
choice of Chief Magistrate, did not think was the
man. understand, nevertheless, that they came for
ward here to greet the constitutional President of
the United Staesas citizens of the United States to
meet the man who, for the time being is the
tive man of the naton-united by purpose TO perpeu
ate the Union and liberties of the people As such ac-
cePt ms reception more gratefully than could do did
belieVe 1t was rendered to me as an individual.


Mr. Lincoln then close his speech, which was
followed by heartfelt applause.


Alter lntroouctlons and courtesies, Mr.. Lincoln
was taken to the Assembly Chamber and intro
duced by the State Committee to the Speaker o.
the House. The Speaker addressed MIN a very
able and appropriate speech.


Of 5lg,. LINCOLN IN IIfE sssrsRrv


Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Represen
atves- nave Just enjoyed the honor of reception b.
the other branch of the General Assembly or
tureI am not sure which is the technical term wifi
you. return TO you as to them, my very gratefu
thanks for the reception which the people of New erseI
have given to me, for the time being the
tave of the majesty of the people of the United States
appropriate to myself but very small share of all th
manifestation Of devotion. Little should be given to M
or to any other man. 1t promises much more for tn,
welfare Of this people indication devotion to h
constitution of the Union and desire perpetuate thu
cept it. As alluded to it in the other branch of the Leg
Islature, so l again allude to the fact here


understand myself to received here bv the renra
sentatlyes of the people Of New Jersey a majority o
whom differed from those who saw fit to vote for me as
President of the United States. But nevertheless un
derstand that this manifestation manifestation in ia
yor OF the government in favor of the Unon Constitu
tion and liberties of the people. (Appause Mr. SNEAK
er you have been pleased to aude to the difficulties ha
lie before me- They are very great You have said tru
y that the stouest and the wisest stand doubt as tc
what should be done You therefore, the reason why
should not state in detail the course propose to take
You will recognize the propriety of my waiting until the
very last day when shall become proper for speal
omcally, so that when do make my policy public i
shall be as nearly right possible Taking that grount
which deem abest and best trust that shall find lit
tie occasion to swerve. shall take the ground deer
most just to the North to the South to the East and Il
the Westto all the States of the Union and to the Who'll
country. tGreat applause) shall take it, as hope
in entire good temper, and with such frmness as NAV
be able to command however much little that may be
shall take with no malice to any section or any por
y. L l
the view of promoting peace and of peaceably
ing the majesty of the nation,


The man does not liye in the United States of Americ;
VINO is at hart more devoted to peace and harmony thar
am and that spirit is mark to the greatest eX
tent possible the position shall take. tGreat applause
Nevertheless, fear may have to set the foot dow
frmly-(here the cheering was so prolonged that it WA
several minutes before Mr. Lincoln could proceed and
having put the foot down. to stand firmly upon it, Tn,
PRESIDENT at this point bent forward with SIN iIe
and manner that is both inimitable and ndescrbabe
said-And gentlemen. if you think am right you will
pF W.,
That is all ask; and if have already suggested the
majority of the Legislature do not agree with me in sen
tment, we will try and the ship this voyage; and
the next time it may be hoped that in your udg
mcnf better pilot may be chosen in nv place If tn,
ship be wrecked now however it will be bad chance o
the pilot who loses this voyage to succeed again But
am talking longer than expected. Allow there fore
to return my thanks to you and express the pleasure
have in meeting you at this time.


The procession then marched to the Trenton
House, where the President elect made the follow
ing speech to the crowd outside:


SPEECH To PEOPLE.


nave Deen invited by your representatives to the Leg
lsature, to visit this the Capitol Of your honored State
and in acknowledging their kind invitation compelled
to respond to the welcome the presiding officers of eacl
body and suppose they intended should speak to vol
through them as they are the representatives all
you; and ii was to speak again here should only
have to repeat, in great measure, much that have
said, which would be disgusting to my friends
who have met here. have speech to make, (''Tha
right but merely appear to you and let you look
me, and to the latter think have greatly the best
the bargain (Laughter) Ny friends allow me to BID
you farewell.


A splendid collation. was then given, and at pre-
cisely hapast two, the party left for Philadelphia
in charge of the Committee of that city, amidst thu
cheers of thousands. 1t is thought that there wer
10000 people present


His Speech at PhiIatieIphIa.


MAYOR HENRY's SPEECH.


SIR-In behalf of the Councils of Philadelphia and
its citizens, who, with common respect their Chic
Magisra elect have greeted your arrival tender yo
the hOSDltaity of this do tha
preventative Of 10000 hearhs, around which dwell GOO
600 people, firm and ardent in their devotion to In
Union; and yet it may not be withheld there are but fey
of those iresides whose cheer is not sraghtened am
darkened by the caamtous condition of our country
Inc great mass OF this people heartily weary and sc
OF the selfish schemes and willy plots of politicians
who bear no relation the statesmen than do
barnacles which encrust the ship the stand
by its helm. tAppause)


Your fellow countrymen look to you in the hope tina
the craftsmanship and unalloyed patriotism may, will
GOD pressing restore peace and prosperity to their dis
tracted land. (Applause)


is to be regretted that your shortstay precudes
tercourse with the merchants, manufacturers mechanics
and other citizens of Philadelphia which might afford
clear discernment of their great interests; and sir il
could not be other than grateful to yourself TO have the
past in those historic walls where the comprehensive in
ellects and the liberal dsnerested virtues of our faith
ers framed the Constitution of the Federal States owe
which you have been called on to preside.


At the conclusion of the MAYORS address tn,
crowd again applauded and cheered with such
force, and at such length, that it was almost de-
SPARED that the President would be enabled II
proceed. Finally, kind of quiet was restored
and Mr. Lincoln proceeded to reply. He stool
very erect, with his hat held by his two hands !,
front OF him. He looked with apparent inditfer
ence upon the surging of the immense throno. hn
gazed steadily at the Mayor. The crowd from
within the hotel several times pushed with mucl
Senemence, ana Mr.. Lincoln several times applie
MS elbow to those pushing upon him:


MR.. LINcoLN's SPEECH.


MIR. Lincoln sail Mr. Mayor md CaiIo,-
rhlaaeiphla-I appear before you to make no length
speech appear before you to thank Won for The rec