Year: 1861

Chestnut Street depot. . distance of one
. mile, through Broad street. which was lite


rally thronged with spectators. while every
available portion Of the surrounding build


ings was occupied.


Patriotic manifestations were abundant
The procession first formed in the face of a


cold and almost binding fall of snow. which


however, soon subsided, and was succeeded


by a genial sun and bland springlike at.


mosphere. emblematic. it is hoped, of the
future administration,


As the train moved off, Mr.. Lincoln
bowed his Acknowledgements to the crowd
from the rear end Of the car


TRENTON, n. j.. Feb 21.


The special train arrived at 12 O'clock
There was an immense crowd at the Depot.
Mayor Mills extended welcome, and intro.
duced Mr.. Lincoln to the members of the
City Government. The party was then ia
ken in carriages to the State House under
escolt or 100 horsemen of the City Blues of
Patterson. and the German Rifles of Tren-
ton. Having been introduced to the Sem
ale, the President thereof welcomed Mr.
Lincoln. who replied:


| .'Mr. President and Gentlemen Of the
Senate of the State OF New Jersey: am
very grateful to you for the honorable re.
ception of which have been the object
| cannot but remember the place that New
jersey holds in our early history. In the
early Revolutionary struggle, few Of the
States among the old thirteen had more Of
the battle fields of the country within their
limits than New Jersey. May be pardon
ed. if upon this occasion l mention that
away back In nv child hood. the earliestd days
Of my being able 20 read. got hold of a


al k-oL Oh
younger members have ever seen. Weem's
Life of Washington. l remember that in
all accounts there given of the battle fields
and struggles for :he liberties of the country
none fixed themselves upon my imagination
as the struggle here at Trenton. The
crossing Of the river, the contest with the
Hessians. the great hardships endured at
that time. all fixed themselves on my mem
ory more than any single revolutionary
event; and you all know, for you have all
been boys, how these early impressions last
longer than others. l recoiect thinking
then, boy even though l was. that there
must have been something more than COM
mon that those men struggled for. l am
exceedingly anxious that that thing which
they then struggled for; that something
even more than national independence -
that something which held out a great
promise to the people Of all the world in all
time to GOMEZ am exceedingly anxious
that this Union, the Constitution and liber-
ties Of the people may be perpetuated in ac
cordance with the original idea for which
that struggle was made. and shall be most
happy indeed if l shall be an humble in-
strument 10 the hands Of the Almighty, and
of this. his almost chosen instrument. for
perpetuating the object of that great s.rug
gle. You give me this reception as l un-
derstand. without distinction of party. I
learn this body is composed of majority of
gentlemen. who. in the exercise Of their best
judgment. in the choice Of Chief Magistrate
DID not think I was the man. understand
to greet me as the constitutional President
of the United States citizens Of the Uni
ted States. to meet the man who for the time
being is the representative man of the Uni
ted States, IS citizens Of the United States.
to meet the man VINO for the time being is
The representative man OF the nation, united
by purpose to perpetuate the Union and
liberties o! the people. As such. I accept
! this reception more gratefully than I could
do, did believe it was rendered to me as
an individual"


The speech was followed by hearty ap-
plause.


Mr.. Lincoln was then conducted to the
Assembly Chamber. The Speaker ad
dressed him appropriately. Mr.. Lincoln
replied:


Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: have lust
enjoyed the honor Of a reception by the
o'her branch of this Legislature. I return
to you and them nv thanks for the reception
which the people Of New Jersey have given
me through their chosen representatives
As for the time being the representative Of
the majority OF the people Of the United
States. appropropriate to mvself very little
OF the demonstrations Of respect with which
l have been greeted. think little should
be given to any man. but that it should be a
manifestation OF adherence TO the Union and
Constitution. understand myself to be re-
ceived here by the representatives of the
people OF New Jersey, majority of whom
differ in opinion from those with whom
have acted. This manifestation is. there
fore to be regarded bv me As expressing
heir devotion to the Union, the Constitution
and the liberties IT the people You. Mr..
Speaker. have we'll said that this is a time
when the gravess aud wisest look with
doubt and ave upon the aspect presented
by our national affairs Under these cir
cumstances. you will readily see why I
should not speak in detail of the course
shall deem it best to pursue


"It is proner I should avail myself Of all
the information snd all the time. at nv com
mand. in order that when the time arrives
in which | must speak officially. shall be
abe to take the ground which shall deem
the best aud safest. and from which shall
have no occasion to swerve. Iehall endeav-
or to take the ground deem the most Just
to the North. the South. the East. the West,
and the whole country. Take il, hope.
in good temper. certainly with no malice
towards any section. shall do all that
NAV be in my power 20 promote . peaceful
settlement ofa our difficulties.


THE man does not live who is more de-
voted to peace than am. rChe~rs.l None
who would do more to preserve it, but il
may be necessary to put the foot down firm
" (Hneo thn IL