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ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF OHIO AT COLUMBUS
FEBRUARY 13； 1861
Mr。 PRESIDENT AND Mr。 SPEAKER； AND GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF OHIO：It is true； as has been said by the president of the
Senate； that very great responsibility rests upon me in the position
to which the votes of the American people have called me。 I am
deeply sensible of that weighty responsibility。 I cannot but know
what you all know； that without a name； perhaps without a reason why
I should have a name； there has fallen upon me a task such as did not
rest even upon the Father of his Country； and so feeling； I can turn
and look for that support without which it will be impossible for me
to perform that great task。 I turn； then； and look to the American
people and to that God who has never forsaken them。 Allusion has
been made to the interest felt in relation to the policy of the new
administration。 In this I have received from some a degree of credit
for having kept silence； and from others some deprecation。 I still
think that I was right。
In the varying and repeatedly shifting scenes of the present； and
without a precedent which could enable me to judge by the past； it
has seemed fitting that before speaking upon the difficulties of the
country I should have gained a view of the whole field； being at
liberty to modify and change the course of policy as future events
may make a change necessary。
I have not maintained silence from any want of real anxiety。 It is a
good thing that there is no more than anxiety； for there is nothing
going wrong。 It is a consoling circumstance that when we look out
there is nothing that really hurts anybody。 We entertain different
views upon political questions； but nobody is suffering anything。
This is a most consoling circumstance； and from it we may conclude
that all we want is time； patience； and a reliance on that God who
has never forsaken this people。
Fellow…citizens； what I have said I have said altogether
extemporaneously； and I will now come to a close。
ADDRESS AT STEUBENVILLE； OHIO；
FEBRUARY 14； 1861
I fear that the great confidence placed in my ability is unfounded。
Indeed； I am sure it is。 Encompassed by vast difficulties as I am；
nothing shall be wanting on my part； if sustained by God and the
American people。 I believe the devotion to the Constitution is
equally great on both sides of the river。 It is only the different
understanding of that instrument that causes difficulty。 The only
dispute on both sides is； 'What are their rights？〃 If the majority
should not rule； who would be the judge？ Where is such a judge to be
found？ We should all be bound by the majority of the American people；
if not； then the minority must control。 Would that be right？ Would
it be just or generous？ Assuredly not。 I reiterate that the majority
should rule。 If I adopt a wrong policy； the opportunity for
condemnation will occur in four years' time。 Then I can be turned
out； and a better man with better views put in my place。
ADDRESS AT PITTSBURGH； PENNSYLVANIA
FEBRUARY 15； 1861
I most cordially thank his Honor Mayor Wilson； and the citizens of
Pittsburg generally； for their flattering reception。 I am the more
grateful because I know that it is not given to me alone； but to the
cause I represent； which clearly proves to me their good…will； and
that sincere feeling is at the bottom of it。 And here I may remark
that in every short address I have made to the people； in every crowd
through which I have passed of late； some allusion has been made to
the present distracted condition of the country。 It is natural to
expect that I should say something on this subject； but to touch upon
it at all would involve an elaborate discussion of a great many
questions and circumstances； requiring more time than I can at
present command； and would； perhaps； unnecessarily commit me upon
matters which have not yet fully developed themselves。 The condition
of the country is an extraordinary one； and fills the mind of every
patriot with anxiety。 It is my intention to give this subject all
the consideration I possibly can before specially deciding in regard
to it； so that when I do speak it may be as nearly right as possible。
When I do speak I hope I may say nothing in opposition to the spirit
of the Constitution； contrary to the integrity of the Union； or which
will prove inimical to the liberties of the people； or to the peace
of the whole country。 And furthermore； when the time arrives for me
to speak on this great subject； I hope I may say nothing to
disappoint the people generally throughout the country； especially if
the expectation has been based upon anything which I may have
heretofore said。 Notwithstanding the troubles across the river ＇the
speaker pointing southwardly across the Monongahela； and smiling＇；
there is no crisis but an artificial one。 What is there now to
warrant the condition of affairs presented by our friends over the
river？ Take even their own view of the questions involved； and there
is nothing to justify the course they are pursuing。 I repeat； then；
there is no crisis； excepting such a one as may be gotten up at any
time by turbulent men aided by designing politicians； My advice to
them； under such circumstances； is to keep cool。 If the great
American people only keep their temper on both sides of the line； the
troubles will come to an end； and the question which now distracts
the country will be settled； just as surely as all other difficulties
of a like character which have originated in this government have
been adjusted。 Let the people on both sides keep their
self…possession； and just as other clouds have cleared away in due
time； so will this great nation continue to prosper as heretofore。
But； fellow…citizens； I have spoken longer on this subject than I
intended at the outset。
It is often said that the tariff is the specialty of Pennsylvania。
Assuming that direct taxation is not to be adopted； the tariff
question must be as durable as the government itself。 It is a
question of national housekeeping。 It is to the government what
replenishing the meal…tub is to the family。 Every varying
circumstances will require frequent modifications as to the amount
needed and the sources of supply。 So far there is little difference
of opinion among the people。 It is as to whether； and how far；
duties on imports shall be adjusted to favor home production in the
home market； that controversy begins。 One party insists that such
adjustment oppresses one class for the advantage of another； while
the other party argues that； with all its incidents； in the long run
all classes are benefited。 In the Chicago platform there is a plank
upon this subject which should be a general law to the incoming
administration。 We should do neither more nor less than we gave the
people reason to believe we would when they gave us their votes。
Permit me； fellow…citizens； to read the tariff plank of the Chicago
platform； or rather have it read in your hearing by one who has
younger eyes。
＇Mr。 Lincoln's private secretary then read Section 12 of the Chicago
platform； as follows：
〃That； while providing revenue for the support of the General
Government by duties upon imports； sound policy requires such an
adjustment of these imposts as will encourage the development of the
industrial interest of the whole country； and we commend that policy
of national exchanges which secures to working…men liberal wages； to
agriculture remunerating prices； to mechanics and manufacturers
adequate return for their skill； labor； and enterprise； and to the
nation commercial prosperity and independence。〃
As with all general propositions； doubtless； there will be shades of
difference in construing this。 I have by no means a thoroughly
matured judgment upon this subject； especially as to details； some
genera