Year: 1861

l


waited on at the Astor House by the Re-
publican Committees of New York. In
the address of the principle speaker, he
said that it was a remarkable incident that


that there should have been but three re-
ceptions in that room. One was to Daniel


Webster, the second to Henry Clay, and
the third to Abraham Lincoln. In re-
sponse to the address Mr.. Lincoln said:


Mr.. CHAIRMAN: l am rather an old


man to avail myself of such excuses as l
am now about to do; yet the truth is so
distinct, and presses so distinctly upon me,
that l cannot well avoid it-that is, that l
did not understand, when l was brought
into this room, that was to make speech.
1t was not intimated TO me that was
brought into a room where Daniel Web
ster and Henry Clay had made speeches,
and where l, in my position, am expected
to do something like those men, or at least
say something worthy of myself. l there
fore beg you to make allowance for the cir
cumstances under which 1 have been bv
surprise brought before you. have been
very much in the habit of thinking, and
sometimes speaking. on the questions that
have agitated the people. If | were dis
posed TO do so, and we were able to take
up some of the issues, and l was called up
on to make an argument, l could do it
without much deliberation. But that is
not what you desire to have done here to-
night. Ihave been occupying the position,
sirce the election, of silence-of avoiding
public speaking. l have been doing so be-
cause l thought upon due consideration,
that was the proper course for me to take.


Applause. am brought before you
now TO make speech, while you all ap-
prove, more than anything else, that have
been keeping silence. Great laughter and
renewed cheering, the audience taking the
full humor Of the thing. 1t seems to me
the response you give to that remark ought
10 justify me in closing just here. More
laughter.


l have not kept silence since the Presi-
dental election from any party craftiness
or for any Indifference to the anxieties that
pervade the minds of men in this country.
l have kept silence for the reason that it
was peculiarly proper for me to wait until
the time should come when, according to
the custom of the country, would speak
officially: Applause. hear some one
say, "According to the custom of the
country?" l allude to the custom on the
Presidents taking the oath of office, of his
declaring what course he thinks should be
pursued. That is what l mean. Tie po-
litical drama acting before the country at
this time is rapidly shifting its scenes. 1t
was eminently fitting that l should wait
till the last minute, SO that could choose
position from which should not be
obliged to deviate. have said several
times on this journey and now repeat to
you, | shall then take the ground that l
think is right-the ground that shall
then think right for the North, the South,
the East, the West and the whole country,
Cries of good. good, and great cheering.
And in doing so hope TO feel no necessi-
ty pressing upon me to say anything in
conflict with the Constitution, in conflict
with the continued Union of these United
States, in conflict with the liberty of the
people, nor anything in conflict with any
thing whatever l have given you reason to
expect from me. Hearty and long con-
tinued applause. Now, my friends, have
l not said enoughg Applause, which, as
the humor of the thing was fully perceived,
broke fourth into loud huzza. Now,
my friends, there is a difference of opinion
between you and me, and l insist on de-
Gliding the question.