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anything else of the fact that I have been keeping silence。 And now
it seems to me that the response you give to that remark ought to
justify me in closing just here。 I have not kept silence since the
Presidential election from any party wantonness； or from any
indifference to the anxiety that pervades the minds of men about the
aspect of the political affairs of this country。 I have kept silence
for the reason that I supposed it was peculiarly proper that I should
do so until the time came when； according to the custom of the
country； I could speak officially。
I still suppose that； while the political drama being enacted in this
country at this time is rapidly shifting its scenesforbidding an
anticipation with any degree of certainty to…day of what we shall see
to…morrowit is peculiarly fitting that I should see it all； up to
the last minute； before I should take ground that I might be
disposed； by the shifting of the scenes afterward； also to shift。 I
have said several times upon this journey； and I now repeat it to
you； that when the time does come； I shall then take the ground that
I think is rightright for the North； for the South； for the East；
for the West； for the whole country。 And in doing so I hope to feel
no necessity pressing upon me to say anything in conflict with the
Constitution； in conflict with the continued union of these States；
in conflict with the perpetuation of the liberties of this people； or
anything in conflict with anything whatever that I have ever given
you reason to expect from me。 And now； my friends； have I said
enough？ ＇Loud cries of 〃No； no ！〃 and' Three cheers for LINCOLN！〃＇
Now； my friends； there appears to be a difference of opinion between
you and me； and I really feel called upon to decide the question
myself。
REPLY TO THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY；
FEBRUARY 20； 1861
Mr。 MAYOR：It is with feelings of deep gratitude that I make my
acknowledgments for the reception that has been given me in the great
commercial city of New York。 I cannot but remember that it is done
by the people who do not； by a large majority； agree with me in
political sentiment。 It is the more grateful to me because in this I
see that for the great principles of our Government the people are
pretty nearly or quite unanimous。 In regard to the difficulties that
confront us at this time； and of which you have seen fit to speak so
becomingly and so justly； I can only say I agree with the sentiments
expressed。 In my devotion to the Union I hope I am behind no man in
the nation。 As to my wisdom in conducting affairs so as to tend to
the preservation of the Union； I fear too great confidence may have
been placed in me。 I am sure I bring a heart devoted to the work。
There is nothing that could ever bring me to consentwillingly to
consentto the destruction of this Union （in which not only the
great city of New York； but the whole country； has acquired its
greatness）； unless it would be that thing for which the Union itself
was made。 I understand that the ship is made for the carrying and
preservation of the cargo； and so long as the ship is safe with the
cargo； it shall not be abandoned。 This Union shall never be
abandoned； unless the possibility of its existence shall cease to
exist without the necessity of throwing passengers and cargo
overboard。 So long； then； as it is possible that the prosperity and
liberties of this people can be preserved within this Union； it shall
be my purpose at all tunes to preserve it。 And now； Mr。 Mayor；
renewing my thanks for this cordial reception； allow me to come to a
close。
ADDRESS AT JERSEY CITY； NEW JERSEY
FEBRUARY 21； 1860
MR。 DAYTON AND GENTLEMEN OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY：I shall only
thank you briefly for this very kind reception given me； not
personally； but as the temporary representative of the majesty of the
nation。 To the kindness of your hearts； and of the hearts of your
brethren in your State； I should be very proud to respond； but I
shall not have strength to address you or other assemblages at
length； even if I had the time to do so。 I appear before you；
therefore； for little else than to greet you； and to briefly say
farewell。 You have done me the very high honor to present your
reception courtesies to me through your great man a man with whom it
is an honor to be associated anywhere； and in owning whom no State
can be poor。 He has said enough； and by the saying of it suggested
enough； to require a response of an hour； well considered。 I could
not in an hour make a worthy response to it。 I therefore； ladies and
gentlemen of New Jersey； content myself with saying； most heartily do
I indorse all the sentiments he has expressed。 Allow me； most
gratefully； to bid you farewell。
REPLY TO THE MAYOR OF NEWARK； NEW JERSEY；
FEBRUARY 21； 1861。
MR。 MAYOR：I thank you for this reception at the city of Newark。
With regard to the great work of which you speak； I will say that I
bring to it a heart filled with love for my country； and an honest
desire to do what is right。 I am sure； however； that I have not the
ability to do anything unaided of God； and that without His support
and that of this free； happy； prosperous； and intelligent people； no
man can succeed in doing that the importance of which we all
comprehend。 Again thanking you for the reception you have given me；
I will now bid you farewell； and proceed upon my journey。
ADDRESS IN TRENTON AT THE TRENTON HOUSE；
FEBRUARY 21； 1861
I have been invited by your representatives to the Legislature to
visit this the capital of your honored State； and in acknowledging
their kind invitation； compelled to respond to the welcome of the
presiding officers of each body； and I suppose they intended I should
speak to you through them； as they are the representatives of all of
you； and if I were to speak again here； I should only have to repeat
in a great measure much that I have said； which would be disgusting
to my friends around me who have met here。 I have no speech to make；
but merely appear to see you and let you look at me； and as to the
latter I think I have greatly the best of the bargain。 My friends；
allow me to bid you farewell。
ADDRESS TO THE SENATE OF NEW JERSEY
FEBRUARY 21； 1861
MR。 PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW
JERSEY：I am very grateful to you for the honorable reception of
which I have been the object。 I cannot but remember the place that
New Jersey holds in our early history。 In the 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 I be
pardoned if； upon this occasion； I mention that away back in my
childhood； the earliest days of my being able to read； I got hold of
a small book； such a one as few of the younger members have ever seen
Weems's Life of Washington。 I remember all the accounts there given
of the battle…fields and struggles for the liberties of the country；
and none fixed themselves upon my imagination so deeply as the
struggle here at Trenton； New Jersey。 The crossing of the river； the
contest with the Hessians； the great hardships endured at that time；
all fixed themselves on my memory more than any single Revolutionary
event； and you all know； for you have all been boys； how these early
impressions last longer than any others。 I recollect thinking then；
boy even though I was； that there must have been something more than
common that these men struggled for。 I am exceedingly anxious that
that thing that something even more than national independence； that
something that held out a great promise to all the people of the
world to all time to comeI am exceedingly anxious that this Union；
the Constitution； and the liberties of the people shall be
perpetuated in accordance with the original