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perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that
struggle was made； and I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be a
humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty； and of this his
almost chosen people； for perpetuating the object of that great
struggle。 You give me this reception； as I understand； without
distinction of party。 I learn that this body is composed of a
majority of gentlemen who； in the exercise of their best judgment in
the choice of a chief magistrate； did not think I was the man。 I
understand； nevertheless； that they come forward here to greet me as
the constitutionally elected President of the United Statesas
citizens of the United States to meet the man who； for the time
being； is the representative of the majesty of the nationunited by
the single purpose to perpetuate the Constitution； the union； and the
liberties of the people。 As such； I accept this reception more
gratefully than I could do did I believe it were tendered to me as an
individual。
ADDRESS TO THE ASSEMBLY OF NEW JERSEY；
FEBRUARY 21； 1861
MR。 SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN： I have just enjoyed the honor of a
reception by the other branch of this Legislature； and I return to
you and them my thanks for the reception which the people of New
Jersey have given through their chosen representatives to me as the
representative； for the time being； of the majesty of the people of
the United States。 I appropriate to myself very little of the
demonstrations of respect with which I have been greeted。 I think
little should be given to any man； but that it should be a
manifestation of adherence to the Union and the Constitution。
I understand myself to be received here by the representatives of the
people of New Jersey； a majority of whom differ in opinion from those
with whom I have acted。 This manifestation is therefore to be
regarded by me as expressing their devotion to the Union； the
Constitution； and the liberties of the people。
You； Mr。 Speaker； have well said that this is a time when the bravest
and wisest look with doubt and awe upon the aspect presented by our
national affairs。 Under these circumstances you will readily see why
I should not speak in detail of the course I shall deem it best to
pursue。 It is proper that I should avail myself of all the
information and all the time at my command； in order that when the
time arrives in which I must speak officially； I shall be able to
take the ground which I deem best and safest； and from which I may
have no occasion to swerve。 I shall endeavor to take the ground I
deem most just to the North； the East； the West； the South； and the
whole country。 I shall take it； I hope； in good temper； certainly
with no malice toward； any section。 I shall do all that may be in my
power to promote a peaceful settlement of all our difficulties。 The
man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am； none who
would do more to preserve it； but it may be necessary to put the foot
down firmly。 And if I do my duty and do right； you will sustain me；
will you not？ ＇Loud cheers； and cries of 〃Yes； yes； we will。〃＇
Received as I am by the members of a Legislature the majority of whom
do not agree with me in political sentiments； I trust that I may have
their assistance in piloting the ship of state through this voyage；
surrounded by perils as it is； for if it should suffer wreck now；
there will be no pilot ever needed for another voyage。
Gentlemen； I have already spoken longer than I intended； and must beg
leave to stop here。
REPLY TO THE MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA； PENNSYLVANIA；
FEBRUARY 21； 1861
MR。 MAYOR AND FELLOW…CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA：I appear before you
to make no lengthy speech； but to thank you for this reception。 The
reception you have given me to…night is not to me； the man； the
individual； but to the man who temporarily represents； or should
represent； the majesty of the nation。 It is true； as your worthy
mayor has said； that there is great anxiety amongst the citizens of
the United States at this time。 I deem it a happy circumstance that
this dissatisfied portion of our fellow…citizens does not point us to
anything in which they are being injured or about to be injured； for
which reason I have felt all the while justified in concluding that
the crisis； the panic； the anxiety of the country at this time is
artificial。 If there be those who differ with me upon this subject；
they have not pointed out the substantial difficulty that exists。
I do not mean to say that an artificial panic may not do considerable
harm； that it has done such I do not deny。 The hope that has been
expressed by your mayor； that I may be able to restore peace；
harmony； and prosperity to the country； is most worthy of him； and
most happy； indeed； will I be if I shall be able to verify and fulfil
that hope。 I promise you that I bring to the work a sincere heart。
Whether I will bring a head equal to that heart will be for future
times to determine。 It were useless for me to speak of details of
plans now； I shall speak officially next Monday week； if ever。 If I
should not speak then； it were useless for me to do so now。 If I do
speak then； it is useless for me to do so now。 When I do speak； I
shall take such ground as I deem best calculated to restore peace；
harmony； and prosperity to the country； and tend to the perpetuity of
the nation and the liberty of these States and these people。 Your
worthy mayor has expressed the wish； in which I join with him； that
it were convenient for me to remain in your city long enough to
consult your merchants and manufacturers； or； as it were； to listen
to those breathings rising within the consecrated walls wherein the
Constitution of the United States and； I will add； the Declaration of
Independence； were originally framed and adopted。 I assure you and
your mayor that I had hoped on this occasion； and upon all occasions
during my life； that I shall do nothing inconsistent with the
teachings of these holy and most sacred walls。 I have never asked
anything that does not breathe from those walls。 All my political
warfare has been in favor of the teachings that come forth from these
sacred walls。 May my right hand forget its cunning and my tongue
cleave to the roof of my mouth if ever I prove false to those
teachings。 Fellow…citizens； I have addressed you longer than I
expected to do； and now allow me to bid you goodnight。
ADDRESS IN THE HALL OF INDEPENDENCE； PHILADELPHIA；
FEBRUARY 22； 1861
MR。 CUYLER：I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing
here； in this place； where were collected together the wisdom； the
devotion to principle； from which sprang the institutions under which
we live。 You have kindly suggested to me that in my hands is the task
of restoring peace to the present distracted condition of the
country。 I can say in return； sir； that all the political sentiments
I entertain have been drawn； so far as I have been able to draw them；
from the sentiments which originated and were given to the world from
this hall。 I have never had a feeling politically that did not
spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of
Independence。 I have often pondered over the dangers which were
incurred by the men who assembled here and framed and adopted that
Declaration of Independence。 I have pondered over the toils that
were endured by the officers and soldiers of the army who achieved
that independence。 I have often inquired of myself what great
principle or idea it was that kept the confederacy so long together。
It was not the mere matter of separation of the colonies from the
motherland； but that sentiment in the Declaration of Independence
which gave liberty； not alone to the people of this country； but； I
hope； to the world for all future time。 It was that which gave
promise that in due time the weight would be lifted from th