SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，October15，1860
L。MONTGOMERYBOND，Esq。
MYDEARSIR：IcertainlyaminnotemperandhavenopurposetoembitterthefeelingsoftheSouth，butwhetherIaminclinedtosuchacourseaswouldinfactembittertheirfeelingsyoucanbetterjudgebymypublishedspeechesthanbyanythingIwouldsayinashortletterifIwereinclinednow，asIamnot，todefinemypositionanew。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
LETTERSUGGESTINGABEARD
TOMISSGRACEBEDELL，RIPLEYN。Y。
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，October19，1860
MISSGRACEBEDELL。
MYDEARLITTLEMISS：——Yourveryagreeableletterofthe15thisreceived。IregretthenecessityofsayingIhavenodaughter。I
havethreesons——oneseventeen，onenine，andoneseven。Theywiththeirmotherconstitutemywholefamily。Astothewhiskers，asI
haveneverwornany，doyounotthinkthatpeoplewouldcallitapieceofsillyaffectationwereItobeginwearingthemnow？
Iamyourtruefriendandsincerewell—wisher，A。LINCOLN。
EARLYINFORMATIONONARMYDEFECTIONINSOUTH
TOD。HUNTER。
PrivateandConfidential。
SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，October26，1860
MAJORDAVIDHUNTER
MYDEARSIR：——Yourverykindletterofthe20thwasdulyreceived，forwhichpleaseacceptmythanks。Ihaveanotherletter，fromawriterunknowntome，sayingtheofficersofthearmyatFortKearnyhavedeterminedincaseofRepublicansuccessattheapproachingPresidentialelection，totakethemselves，andthearmsatthatpoint，south，forthepurposeofresistancetothegovernment。WhileIthinktherearemanychancestoonethatthisisahumbug，itoccurstomethatanyrealmovementofthissortintheArmywouldleakoutandbecomeknowntoyou。Insuchcase，ifitwouldnotbeunprofessionalordishonorableofwhichyouaretobejudge，I
shallbemuchobligedifyouwillapprisemeofit。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOHANNIBALHAMLIN
Confidential。
SPRINGFIELD。ILLINOIS，November8，1860
HON。HANNIBALHAMLIN。
MYDEARSIR：——Iamanxiousforapersonalinterviewwithyouatasearlyadayaspossible。Canyou，withoutmuchinconvenience，meetmeatChicago？Ifyoucan，pleasenameasearlyadayasyouconvenientlycan，andtelegraphme，unlesstherebesufficienttimebeforethedaynamedtocommunicatebymail。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOSAMUELHAYCRAFT。
PrivateandConfidential。
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，Nov。13，1860
HON。SAMUELHAYCRAFT。
MYDEARSIR：——Yoursofthe9thisjustreceived。Icanonlyanswerbriefly。RestfullyassuredthatthegoodpeopleoftheSouthwhowillputthemselvesinthesametemperandmoodtowardsmewhichyoudowillfindnocausetocomplainofme。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
REMARKSATTHEMEETINGATSPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS
TOCELEBRATELINCOLN’SELECTION，NOVEMBER20，1860
FRIENDSANDFELLOW—CITIZENS：——Pleaseexcusemeonthisoccasionfrommakingaspeech。IthankyouincommonwithallthosewhohavethoughtfitbytheirvotestoindorsetheRepublicancause。I
rejoicewithyouinthesuccesswhichhasthusfarattendedthatcause。Yetinallourrejoicingsletusneitherexpressnorcherishanyhardfeelingstowardanycitizenwhobyhisvotehasdifferedwithus。LetusatalltimesrememberthatallAmericancitizensarebrothersofacommoncountry，andshoulddwelltogetherinthebondsoffraternalfeeling。Letmeagainbegyoutoacceptmythanks，andtoexcusemefromfurtherspeakingatthistime。
TOALEXANDERH。STEPHENS
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。NOV。30，1860
HON。A。H。STEPHENS。
MYDEARSIR：——IhavereadinthenewspapersyourspeechrecentlydeliveredIthinkbeforetheGeorgiaLegislature，oritsassembledmembers。Ifyouhaverevisedit，asisprobable，Ishallbemuchobligedifyouwillsendmeacopy。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOHANNIBALHAMLIN
Private
SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，December8，1860
HON。HANNIBALHAMLIN。
DEARSIR：——Yoursofthe4thwasdulyreceived。TheinclosedtoGovernorSewardcoverstwonotestohim，copiesofwhichyoufindopenforyourinspection。ConsultwithJudgeTrumbull；andifyouandheseenoreasontothecontrary，deliverthelettertoGovernorSewardatonce。Ifyouseereasontothecontrarywritemeatonce。
IhaveanintimationthatGovernorBankswouldyetacceptaplaceintheCabinet。Pleaseascertainandwritemehowthisis，Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
BLOCKING\"COMPROMISE\"ONSLAVERYISSUE
TOE。B。WASHBURNE
PrivateandConfidential。
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，December13，1860
HON。E。B。WASHBURNE。
MYDEARSIR：——Yourlongletterreceived。Prevent，asfaraspossible，anyofourfriendsfromdemoralizingthemselvesandourcausebyentertainingpropositionsforcompromiseofanysorton\"slaveryextension。\"Thereisnopossiblecompromiseuponitbutwhichputsusunderagain，andleavesallourworktodooveragain。
WhetheritbeaMissourilineorEliThayer’spopularsovereignty，itisallthesame。Leteitherbedone，andimmediatelyfilibusteringandextendingslaveryrecommences。Onthatpointholdfirm，aswithachainofsteel。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
OPINIONONSECESSION
TOTHURLOWWEED
SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，DECEMBER17，1860
MYDEARSIR：——Yoursofthe11thwasreceivedtwodaysago。Shouldtheconvocationofgovernorsofwhichyouspeakseemdesiroustoknowmyviewsonthepresentaspectofthings，tellthemyoujudgefrommyspeechesthatIwillbeinflexibleontheterritorialquestion；butI
probablythinkeithertheMissourilineextended，orDouglas’sandEliThayer’spopularsovereigntywouldloseuseverythingwegainbytheelection；thatfilibusteringforallsouthofusandmakingslaveStatesofitwouldfollowinspiteofus，ineithercase；alsothatI
probablythinkallopposition，realandapparent，tothefugitiveslaveclauseoftheConstitutionoughttobewithdrawn。
Ibelieveyoucanpretendtofindbutlittle，ifanything，inmyspeeches，aboutsecession。ButmyopinionisthatnoStatecaninanywaylawfullygetoutoftheUnionwithouttheconsentoftheothers；andthatitisthedutyofthePresidentandothergovernmentfunctionariestorunthemachineasitis。
Trulyyours，A。LINCOLN。
SOMEFORTSSURRENDEREDTOTHESOUTH
TOE。B。WASHBURNE
Confidential
SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，December21，1860
HON。E。B。WASHBURNE。
MYDEARSIR：——LastnightIreceivedyourlettergivinganaccountofyourinterviewwithGeneralScott，andforwhichIthankyou。PleasepresentmyrespectstotheGeneral，andtellhim，confidentially，I
shallbeobligedtohimtobeaswellpreparedashecantoeitherholdorretaketheforts，asthecasemayrequire，atandaftertheinauguration。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
TOA。H。STEPHENS。
Foryourowneyeonly
SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，DECEMBER22，1860
HON。ALEXANDERSTEVENS
MYDEARSIR：——Yourobliginganswertomyshortnoteisjustreceived，andforwhichpleaseacceptmythanks。Ifullyappreciatethepresentperilthecountryisin，andtheweightofresponsibilityonme。DothepeopleoftheSouthreallyentertainfearthataRepublicanadministrationwould，directlyorindirectly，interferewiththeslaves，orwiththemabouttheslaves？Iftheydo，Iwishtoassureyou，asonceafriend，andstill，Ihope，notanenemy，thatthereisnocauseforsuchfears。TheSouthwouldbeinnomoredangerinthisrespectthanitwasinthedaysofWashington。I
suppose，however，thisdoesnotmeetthecase。Youthinkslaveryisrightandoughttobeextended，whilewethinkitiswrongandoughttoberestricted。That，Isuppose，istherub。Itcertainlyistheonlysubstantialdifferencebetweenus。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
SUPPORTOFTHEFUGITIVESLAVECLAUSE
MEMORANDUM
December[22？]，1860
Resolved：
ThatthefugitiveslaveclauseoftheConstitutionoughttobeenforcedbyalawofCongress，withefficientprovisionsforthatobject，notobligingprivatepersonstoassistinitsexecution，butpunishingallwhoresistit，andwiththeusualsafeguardstoliberty，securingfreemenagainstbeingsurrenderedasslaves。
ThatallStatelaws，iftherebesuch，reallyorapparentlyinconflictwithsuchlawofCongress，oughttoberepealed；andnooppositiontotheexecutionofsuchlawofCongressoughttobemade。
ThattheFederalUnionmustbepreserved。
PreparedfortheconsiderationoftheRepublicanmembersoftheSenateCommitteeofThirteen。
TOD。HUNTER。
Confidential。
SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOISDecember22，1860
MAJORDAVIDHUNTER。
MYDEARSIR：——Iammuchobligedbythereceiptofyoursofthe18th。
Themostwecandonowistowatchevents，andbeaswellpreparedaspossibleforanyturnthingsmaytake。Ifthefortsfall，myjudgmentisthattheyaretoberetaken。WhenIshalldeterminedefinitelymytimeofstartingtoWashington，Iwillnotifyyou。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOI。N。MORRIS
Confidential。
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，Dec24，1860
HON。I。N。MORRIS。
MYDEARSIR：——WithoutsupposingthatyouandIareanynearertogether，politically，thanheretofore，allowmetotenderyoumysincerethanksforyourUnionresolution，expressiveofviewsuponwhichweneverwere，and，Itrust，neverwillbeatvariance。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
ATTEMPTTOFORMACOALITIONCABINET
TOHANNIBALHAMLIN
SPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，December14，1860。
HON。HANNIBALHAMLIN。
MYDEARSIR：——IneedamanofDemocraticantecedentsfromNewEngland。Icannotgetafairshareofthatelementinwithout。ThisstandsinthewayofMr。Adams。IthinkofGovernorBanks，Mr。
Welles，andMr。Tuck。WhichofthemdotheNewEnglanddelegationprefer？OrshallIdecideformyself？
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
1861
TOWILLIAMH。SEWARD。
Private。
SPRINGFIELD。ILL。，January3，1861。
HON。W。H。SEWARD。
DEARSIR：——Yourswithoutsignaturewasreceivedlastnight。IhavebeenconsideringyoursuggestionsastomyreachingWashingtonsomewhatearlierthanisusual。Itseemstometheinaugurationisnotthemostdangerouspointforus。OuradversarieshaveusnowclearlyatdisadvantageonthesecondWednesdayofFebruary，whenthevotesshouldbeofficiallycounted。Ifthetwohousesrefusetomeetatall，ormeetwithoutaquorumofeach，whereshallwebe？Idonotthinkthatthiscountingisconstitutionallyessentialtotheelection，buthowarewetoproceedintheabsenceofit？Inviewofthis，IthinkitisbestformenottoattemptappearinginWashingtontilltheresultofthatceremonyisknown。
ItcertainlywouldbeofsomeadvantageifyoucouldknowwhoaretobeattheheadsoftheWarandNavydepartments，butuntilIcanascertaindefinitelywhetherIcangetanysuitablemenfromtheSouth，andwho，andhowmany，Icannotwelldecide。Asyet，IhavenowordfromMr。Gilmerinanswertomyrequestforaninterviewwithhim。Ilookforsomethingonthesubject，throughyou，beforelong。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOW。H。SEWARD。
Private。
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，January12，1861
HON。W。H。SEWARD。
MYDEARSIR：——Yoursofthe8threceived。IstillhopeMr。Gilmerwill，onafairunderstandingwithus，consenttotakeaplaceintheCabinet。ThepreferenceforhimoverMr。HuntorMr。Gentryisthat，uptodate——hehasalivingpositionintheSouth，whiletheyhavenot。HeisonlybetterthanWinterDavisinthatheisfarthersouth。Ifear，ifwecouldget，wecouldnotsafelytakemorethanonesuchman——thatis，notmorethanonewhoopposedusintheelection——thedangerbeingtolosetheconfidenceofourownfriends。
YourselectionfortheStateDepartmenthavingbecomepublic，Iamhappytofindscarcelyanyobjectiontoit。IshallhavetroublewitheveryotherNorthernCabinetappointment——somuchsothatI
shallhavetodeferthemaslongaspossibletoavoidbeingteasedintoinsanity，tomakechanges。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN
TOE。D。MORGAN
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。FEB。4，1861
SIR：——Yourletterofthe30thult。invitingme，onbehalfoftheLegislatureofNewYork，topassthroughthatStateonmywaytoWashington，andtenderingmethehospitalitiesofherauthoritiesandpeople，hasbeendulyreceived。WiththefeelingsofdeepgratitudetoyouandthemforthistestimonialofregardandesteemIbegyoutonotifythemthatIaccepttheinvitationsokindlytendered。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN
P。S。——Pleaselettheceremoniesbeonlysuchastotaketheleasttimepossible。A。L。
PATRONAGECLAIMS
TOTHURLOWWEED
SPRINGFIELD，ILL。，February4，1861
DEARSIR：——IhavebothyourlettertomyselfandthattoJudgeDavis，inrelationtoacertaingentlemaninyourStateclaimingtodispensepatronageinmyname，andalsotobeauthorizedtousemynametoadvancethechancesofMr。GreeleyforanelectiontotheUnitedStatesSenate。
Itisverystrangethatsuchthingsshouldbesaidbyanyone。ThegentlemanyoumentiondidspeaktomeofMr。Greeleyinconnectionwiththesenatorialelection，andIrepliedintermsofkindnesstowardMr。Greeley，whichIreallyfeel，butalwayswithanexpressedprotestthatmynamemustnotbeusedinthesenatorialelectioninfavoroforagainstanyone。Anyotherrepresentationofmeisamisrepresentation。
Astothematterofdispensingpatronage，itperhapswillsurpriseyoutolearnthatIhaveinformationthatyouclaimtohavemyauthoritytoarrangethatmatterinNewYork。Idonotbelieveyouhavesoclaimed；butstillsosomemensay。OnthatsubjectyouknowallIhavesaidtoyouis\"justicetoall，\"andIhavesaidnothingmoreparticulartoanyone。IsaythistoreassureyouthatIhavenotchangedmyposition。
Inthehope，however，thatyouwillnotusemynameinthematter，I
am，Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
FAREWELLADDRESSATSPRINGFIELD，ILLINOIS，FEBRUARY11，1861
MYFRIENDS：——Onewhohasneverbeenplacedinalikepositioncannotunderstandmyfeelingsatthishour，northeoppressivesadnessI
feelatthisparting。Formorethantwenty—fiveyearsIhavelivedamongyou，andduringallthattimeIhavereceivednothingbutkindnessatyourhands。Herethemostcherishedtiesofearthwereassumed。Heremychildrenwereborn，andhereoneofthemliesburied。Toyou，myfriends，IoweallthatIhave，allthatIam。
Allthestrangecheckeredpastseemstocrowduponmymind。To—dayI
leaveyou。IgotoassumeataskmoredifficultthanthatwhichdevolveduponGeneralWashington。UnlessthegreatGodwhoassistedhimshallbewithandaidmeIcannotprevail；butifthesamealmightyarmthatdirectedandprotectedhimshallguideandsupportmeIshallnotfail；Ishallsucceed。LetuspraythattheGodofourfathersmaynotforsakeusnow。ToHimIcommendyouall。
PermitmetoaskthatwithequalsincerityandfaithyouwillallinvokeHiswisdomandgoodnessforme。
WiththesewordsImustleaveyou；forhowlongIknownot。Friends，oneandall，Imustnowwishyouanaffectionatefarewell。
REMARKSATTOLONO，ILLINOIS，FEBRUARY11，1861
Iamleavingyouonanerrandofnationalimportance，attended，asyouareaware，withconsiderabledifficulties。Letusbelieve，assomepoethasexpressedit，\"Behindthecloudthesunisstillshining。\"Ibidyouanaffectionatefarewell。
REPLYTOADDRESSOFWELCOME，INDIANAPOLIS，INDIANA，FEBRUARY11，1861
GOVERNORMORTONANDFELLOWCITIZENS
OFTHESTATEOFINDIANA：
MostheartilydoIthankyouforthismagnificentreception，andwhileIcannottaketomyselfanyshareofthecomplimentthuspaid，morethanthatwhichpertainstoamereinstrument，anaccidentalinstrument，perhapsIshouldsay，ofagreatcause，Iyetmustlookuponitasamostmagnificentreception，andassuchmostheartilydothankyouforit。YouhavebeenpleasedtoaddressyourselftomechieflyinbehalfofthisgloriousUnioninwhichwelive，inallofwhichyouhavemyheartysympathy，and，asfarasmaybewithinmypower，willhave，oneandinseparable，myheartyconsideration。
WhileIdonotexpect，uponthisoccasion，oruntilIgettoWashington，toattemptanylengthyspeech，IwillonlysaytothesalvationoftheUnionthereneedsbutonesinglething——theheartsofapeoplelikeyours。
Thepeople——whentheyriseinmassinbehalfoftheUnionandthelibertiesoftheircountry，trulymayitbesaid，\"Thegatesofhellcannotprevailagainstthem。\"InalltryingpositionsinwhichI
shallbeplaced——and，doubtless，Ishallbeplacedinmanysuch——myreliancewillbeplaceduponyouandthepeopleoftheUnitedStates；andI
wishyoutoremember，nowandforever，thatitisyourbusiness，andnotmine；thatiftheunionoftheseStatesandthelibertiesofthispeopleshallbelost，itisbutlittletoanyonemanoffifty—twoyearsofage，butagreatdealtothethirtymillionsofpeoplewhoinhabittheseUnitedStates，andtotheirposterityinallcomingtime。ItisyourbusinesstoriseupandpreservetheUnionandlibertyforyourselves，andnotforme。
Idesiretheyshouldbeconstitutionallyperformed。I，asalreadyintimated，ambutanaccidentalinstrument，temporary，andtoservebutforalimitedtime；andIappealtoyouagaintoconstantlybearinmindthatwithyou，andnotwithpoliticians，notwithPresidents，notwithoffice—seekers，butwithyouisthequestion，ShalltheUnionandshallthelibertiesofthiscountrybepreservedtothelatestgenerations？
ADDRESSTOTHELEGISLATUREOFINDIANA，ATINDIANAPOLIS，FEBRUARY12，1861
FELLOW—CITIZENSOFTHESTATEOFINDIANA：——Iamheretothankyoumuchforthismagnificentwelcome，andstillmoreforthegeneroussupportgivenbyyourStatetothatpoliticalcausewhichIthinkisthetrueandjustcauseofthewholecountryandthewholeworld。
Solomonsaysthereis\"atimetokeepsilence，\"andwhenmenwranglebythemouthwithnocertaintythattheymeanthesamethingwhileusingthesameword，itperhapswereaswelliftheywouldkeepsilence。
Thewords\"coercion\"and\"invasion\"aremuchusedinthesedays，andoftenwithsometemperandhotblood。Letusmakesure，ifwecan，themeaningofthosewhousethem。Letusgettheexactdefinitionsofthesewords，notfromdictionaries，butfromthementhemselves，whocertainlydeprecatethethingstheywouldrepresentbytheuseofthewords。
What，then，iscoercion？Whatisinvasion？WouldthemarchingofanarmyintoSouthCarolina，withouttheconsentofherpeople，andwithhostileintenttowardthem，beinvasion？Icertainlythinkitwould，anditwouldbecoercionalso，iftheSouthCarolinianswereforcedtosubmit。ButiftheUnitedStatesshouldmerelyholdandretakeitsownfortsandotherproperty，andcollectthedutiesonforeignimportations，orevenwithholdthemailsfromplaceswheretheywerehabituallyviolated，wouldanyorallofthesethingsbeinvasionorcoercion？DoourprofessedloversoftheUnion，whospitefullyresolvethattheywillresistcoercionandinvasion，understandthatsuchthingsasthese，onthepartoftheUnitedStates，wouldbecoercionorinvasionofaState？Ifso，theirideaofmeanstopreservetheobjectoftheirgreataffectionwouldseemtobeexceedinglythinandairy。Ifsick，thelittlepillsofthehomoeopathistwouldbemuchtoolargeforittoswallow。Intheirview，theUnion，asafamilyrelation，wouldseemtobenoregularmarriage，butratherasortof\"free—love\"arrangement，tobemaintainedonpassionalattraction。
Bytheway，inwhatconsiststhespecialsacrednessofaState？I
speaknotofthepositionassignedtoaStateintheUnionbytheConstitution，forthatisabondweallrecognize。Thatposition，however，aStatecannotcarryoutoftheUnionwithit。IspeakofthatassumedprimaryrightofaStatetoruleallwhichislessthanitself，andtoruinallwhichislargerthanitself。IfaStateandacounty，inagivencase，shouldbeequalinnumberofinhabitants，inwhat，asamatterofprinciple，istheStatebetterthanthecounty？Wouldanexchangeofnamebeanexchangeofrights？Uponwhatprinciple，uponwhatrightfulprinciple，mayaState，beingnomorethanonefiftiethpartofthenationinsoilandpopulation，breakupthenation，andthencoerceaproportionablylargesubdivisionofitselfinthemostarbitraryway？Whatmysteriousrighttoplaytyrantisconferredonadistrictofcountry，withitspeople，bymerelycallingitaState？Fellow—citizens，Iamnotassertinganything。Iammerelyaskingquestionsforyoutoconsider。Andnowallowmetobidyoufarewell。
INTENTIONSTOWARDTHESOUTH
ADDRESSTOTHEMAYORANDCITIZENSOF
CINCINNATI，OHIO，FEBRUARY12，1861
Mr。MAYOR，ANDGENTLEMEN：——Twenty—fourhoursago，atthecapitalofIndiana，Isaidtomyself，\"Ihaveneverseensomanypeopleassembledtogetherinwinterweather。\"Iamnolongerabletosaythat。Butitiswhatmightreasonablyhavebeenexpected——thatthisgreatcityofCincinnatiwouldthusacquitherselfonsuchanoccasion。Myfriends，Iamentirelyoverwhelmedbythemagnificenceofthereceptionwhichhasbeengiven，Iwillnotsaytome，buttothePresident—electoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica。MostheartilydoIthankyou，oneandall，forit。
IhavespokenbutoncebeforethisinCincinnati。ThatwasayearprevioustothelatePresidentialelection。Onthatoccasion，inaplayfulmanner，butwithsincerewords，IaddressedmuchofwhatI
saidtotheKentuckians。Igavemyopinionthatwe，asRepublicans，wouldultimatelybeatthemasDemocrats，butthattheycouldpostponethatresultlongerbynominatingSenatorDouglasforthePresidencythantheycouldbyanyotherway。Theydidnot，inanytruesenseoftheword，nominateMr。Douglas，andtheresulthascomecertainlyassoonaseverIexpected。IalsotoldthemhowIexpectedtheywouldbetreatedaftertheyshouldhavebeenbeaten，andInowwishtocalltheirattentiontowhatIthensaiduponthatsubject。Ithensaid：
\"Whenwedoaswesay，beatyou，youperhapswanttoknowwhatwewilldowithyou。Iwilltellyou，asfarasIamauthorizedtospeakfortheOpposition，whatwemeantodowithyou。Wemeantotreatyou，asnearaswepossiblycan，asWashington，Jefferson，andMadisontreatedyou。Wemeantoleaveyoualone，andinnowaytointerferewithyourinstitutions；toabidebyallandeverycompromiseoftheConstitution，and，inaword，comingbacktotheoriginalproposition，totreatyousofarasdegeneratemen，ifwehavedegenerated，may，accordingtotheexampleofthosenoblefathers，Washington，Jefferson，andMadison。
\"Wemeantorememberthatyouareasgoodaswe；thatthereisnodifferencebetweenusotherthanthedifferenceofcircumstances。Wemeantorecognizeandbearinmindalwaysthatyouhaveasgoodheartsinyourbosomsasotherpeople，orasweclaimtohave，andtreatyouaccordingly。\"
Fellow—citizensofKentucky——friendsandbrethren，mayIcallyouinmynewposition？——Iseenooccasionandfeelnoinclinationtoretractawordofthis。Ifitshallnotbemadegood，beassuredthefaultshallnotbemine。
ADDRESSTOTHEGERMANCLUBOFCINCINNATI，OHIO，FEBRUARY12，1861
Mr。CHAIRMAN：——Ithankyouandthosewhomyourepresentforthecomplimentyouhavepaidmebytenderingmethisaddress。Insofarasthereisanallusiontoourpresentnationaldifficulties，whichexpresses，asyouhavesaid，theviewsofthegentlemenpresent，I
shallhavetobegpardonfornotenteringfullyuponthequestionswhichtheaddressyouhavenowreadsuggests。
Ideemitmyduty——adutywhichIowetomyconstituents——toyou，gentlemen，thatIshouldwaituntilthelastmomentforadevelopmentofthepresentnationaldifficultiesbeforeIexpressmyselfdecidedlyastowhatcourseIshallpursue。Ihope，then，nottobefalsetoanythingthatyouhaveexpectedofme。
Iagreewithyou，Mr。Chairman，thattheworkingmenarethebasisofallgovernments，fortheplainreasonthattheyareallthemorenumerous，andasyouaddedthatthosewerethesentimentsofthegentlemenpresent，representingnotonlytheworkingclass，butcitizensofothercallingsthanthoseofthemechanic，Iamhappytoconcurwithyouinthesesentiments，notonlyofthenative—borncitizens，butalsooftheGermansandforeignersfromothercountries。
Mr。Chairman，Iholdthatwhilemanexistsitishisdutytoimprovenotonlyhisowncondition，buttoassistinamelioratingtheconditionofmankind；andtherefore，withoutenteringuponthedetailsofthequestion，IwillsimplysaythatIamforthosemeanswhichwillgivethegreatestgoodtothegreatestnumber。
InregardtotheHomesteadlaw，Ihavetosaythat，insofarasthegovernmentlandscanbedisposedof，Iaminfavorofcuttingupthewildlandsintoparcels，sothateverypoormanmayhaveahome。
InregardtotheGermansandforeigners，Iesteemthemnobetterthanotherpeople，noranyworse。Itisnotmynature，whenIseeapeoplebornedownbytheweightoftheirshackles——theoppressionoftyranny——tomaketheirlifemorebitterbyheapinguponthemgreaterburdens；butratherwouldIdoallinmypowertoraisetheyokethantoaddanythingthatwouldtendtocrushthem。
Inasmuchasourowncountryisextensiveandnew，andthecountriesofEuropearedenselypopulated，ifthereareanyabroadwhodesiretomakethisthelandoftheiradoption，itisnotinmyhearttothrowaughtintheirwaytopreventthemfromcomingtotheUnitedStates。
Mr。Chairmanandgentlemen，Iwillbidyouanaffectionatefarewell。
ADDRESSTOTHELEGISLATUREOFOHIOATCOLUMBUS
FEBRUARY13，1861
Mr。PRESIDENTANDMr。SPEAKER，ANDGENTLEMENOFTHEGENERALASSEMBLY
OFOHIO：——Itistrue，ashasbeensaidbythepresidentoftheSenate，thatverygreatresponsibilityrestsuponmeinthepositiontowhichthevotesoftheAmericanpeoplehavecalledme。Iamdeeplysensibleofthatweightyresponsibility。Icannotbutknowwhatyouallknow，thatwithoutaname，perhapswithoutareasonwhyIshouldhaveaname，therehasfallenuponmeatasksuchasdidnotrestevenupontheFatherofhisCountry；andsofeeling，Icanturnandlookforthatsupportwithoutwhichitwillbeimpossibleformetoperformthatgreattask。Iturn，then，andlooktotheAmericanpeopleandtothatGodwhohasneverforsakenthem。Allusionhasbeenmadetotheinterestfeltinrelationtothepolicyofthenewadministration。InthisIhavereceivedfromsomeadegreeofcreditforhavingkeptsilence，andfromotherssomedeprecation。IstillthinkthatIwasright。
Inthevaryingandrepeatedlyshiftingscenesofthepresent，andwithoutaprecedentwhichcouldenablemetojudgebythepast，ithasseemedfittingthatbeforespeakinguponthedifficultiesofthecountryIshouldhavegainedaviewofthewholefield，beingatlibertytomodifyandchangethecourseofpolicyasfutureeventsmaymakeachangenecessary。
Ihavenotmaintainedsilencefromanywantofrealanxiety。Itisagoodthingthatthereisnomorethananxiety，forthereisnothinggoingwrong。Itisaconsolingcircumstancethatwhenwelookoutthereisnothingthatreallyhurtsanybody。Weentertaindifferentviewsuponpoliticalquestions，butnobodyissufferinganything。
Thisisamostconsolingcircumstance，andfromitwemayconcludethatallwewantistime，patience，andarelianceonthatGodwhohasneverforsakenthispeople。
Fellow—citizens，whatIhavesaidIhavesaidaltogetherextemporaneously，andIwillnowcometoaclose。
ADDRESSATSTEUBENVILLE，OHIO，FEBRUARY14，1861
Ifearthatthegreatconfidenceplacedinmyabilityisunfounded。
Indeed，Iamsureitis。EncompassedbyvastdifficultiesasIam，nothingshallbewantingonmypart，ifsustainedbyGodandtheAmericanpeople。IbelievethedevotiontotheConstitutionisequallygreatonbothsidesoftheriver。Itisonlythedifferentunderstandingofthatinstrumentthatcausesdifficulty。Theonlydisputeonbothsidesis，’Whataretheirrights？\"Ifthemajorityshouldnotrule，whowouldbethejudge？Whereissuchajudgetobefound？WeshouldallbeboundbythemajorityoftheAmericanpeople；
ifnot，thentheminoritymustcontrol。Wouldthatberight？Woulditbejustorgenerous？Assuredlynot。Ireiteratethatthemajorityshouldrule。IfIadoptawrongpolicy，theopportunityforcondemnationwilloccurinfouryears’time。ThenIcanbeturnedout，andabettermanwithbetterviewsputinmyplace。
ADDRESSATPITTSBURGH，PENNSYLVANIA
FEBRUARY15，1861
ImostcordiallythankhisHonorMayorWilson，andthecitizensofPittsburggenerally，fortheirflatteringreception。IamthemoregratefulbecauseIknowthatitisnotgiventomealone，buttothecauseIrepresent，whichclearlyprovestometheirgood—will，andthatsincerefeelingisatthebottomofit。AndhereImayremarkthatineveryshortaddressIhavemadetothepeople，ineverycrowdthroughwhichIhavepassedoflate，someallusionhasbeenmadetothepresentdistractedconditionofthecountry。ItisnaturaltoexpectthatIshouldsaysomethingonthissubject；buttotouchuponitatallwouldinvolveanelaboratediscussionofagreatmanyquestionsandcircumstances，requiringmoretimethanIcanatpresentcommand，andwould，perhaps，unnecessarilycommitmeuponmatterswhichhavenotyetfullydevelopedthemselves。Theconditionofthecountryisanextraordinaryone，andfillsthemindofeverypatriotwithanxiety。ItismyintentiontogivethissubjectalltheconsiderationIpossiblycanbeforespeciallydecidinginregardtoit，sothatwhenIdospeakitmaybeasnearlyrightaspossible。
WhenIdospeakIhopeImaysaynothinginoppositiontothespiritoftheConstitution，contrarytotheintegrityoftheUnion，orwhichwillproveinimicaltothelibertiesofthepeople，ortothepeaceofthewholecountry。Andfurthermore，whenthetimearrivesformetospeakonthisgreatsubject，IhopeImaysaynothingtodisappointthepeoplegenerallythroughoutthecountry，especiallyiftheexpectationhasbeenbaseduponanythingwhichImayhaveheretoforesaid。Notwithstandingthetroublesacrosstheriver[thespeakerpointingsouthwardlyacrosstheMonongahela，andsmiling]，thereisnocrisisbutanartificialone。Whatistherenowtowarranttheconditionofaffairspresentedbyourfriendsovertheriver？Takeeventheirownviewofthequestionsinvolved，andthereisnothingtojustifythecoursetheyarepursuing。Irepeat，then，thereisnocrisis，exceptingsuchaoneasmaybegottenupatanytimebyturbulentmenaidedbydesigningpoliticians，Myadvicetothem，undersuchcircumstances，istokeepcool。IfthegreatAmericanpeopleonlykeeptheirtemperonbothsidesoftheline，thetroubleswillcometoanend，andthequestionwhichnowdistractsthecountrywillbesettled，justassurelyasallotherdifficultiesofalikecharacterwhichhaveoriginatedinthisgovernmenthavebeenadjusted。Letthepeopleonbothsideskeeptheirself—possession，andjustasothercloudshaveclearedawayinduetime，sowillthisgreatnationcontinuetoprosperasheretofore。
But，fellow—citizens，IhavespokenlongeronthissubjectthanI
intendedattheoutset。
ItisoftensaidthatthetariffisthespecialtyofPennsylvania。
Assumingthatdirecttaxationisnottobeadopted，thetariffquestionmustbeasdurableasthegovernmentitself。Itisaquestionofnationalhousekeeping。Itistothegovernmentwhatreplenishingthemeal—tubistothefamily。Everyvaryingcircumstanceswillrequirefrequentmodificationsastotheamountneededandthesourcesofsupply。Sofarthereislittledifferenceofopinionamongthepeople。Itisastowhether，andhowfar，dutiesonimportsshallbeadjustedtofavorhomeproductioninthehomemarket，thatcontroversybegins。Onepartyinsiststhatsuchadjustmentoppressesoneclassfortheadvantageofanother；whiletheotherpartyarguesthat，withallitsincidents，inthelongrunallclassesarebenefited。IntheChicagoplatformthereisaplankuponthissubjectwhichshouldbeagenerallawtotheincomingadministration。Weshoulddoneithermorenorlessthanwegavethepeoplereasontobelievewewouldwhentheygaveustheirvotes。
Permitme，fellow—citizens，toreadthetariffplankoftheChicagoplatform，orratherhaveitreadinyourhearingbyonewhohasyoungereyes。
[Mr。Lincoln’sprivatesecretarythenreadSection12oftheChicagoplatform，asfollows：
\"That，whileprovidingrevenueforthesupportoftheGeneralGovernmentbydutiesuponimports，soundpolicyrequiressuchanadjustmentoftheseimpostsaswillencouragethedevelopmentoftheindustrialinterestofthewholecountry；andwecommendthatpolicyofnationalexchangeswhichsecurestoworking—menliberalwages，toagricultureremuneratingprices，tomechanicsandmanufacturersadequatereturnfortheirskill，labor，andenterprise，andtothenationcommercialprosperityandindependence。\"
Aswithallgeneralpropositions，doubtless，therewillbeshadesofdifferenceinconstruingthis。Ihavebynomeansathoroughlymaturedjudgmentuponthissubject，especiallyastodetails；somegeneralideasareaboutall。Ihavelongthoughtitwouldbetoouradvantagetoproduceanynecessaryarticleathomewhichcanbemadeofasgoodqualityandwithaslittlelaborathomeasabroad，atleastbythedifferenceofthecarryingfromabroad。Insuchcasethecarryingisdemonstrablyadeadlossoflabor。Forinstance，laborbeingthetruestandardofvalue，isitnotplainthatifequallaborgetabarofrailroadironoutofamineinEnglandandanotheroutofamineinPennsylvania，eachcanbelaiddowninatrackathomecheaperthantheycouldexchangecountries，atleastbythecarriage？Iftherebeapresentcausewhyonecanbebothmadeandcarriedcheaperinmoneypricethantheothercanbemadewithoutcarrying，thatcauseisanunnaturalandinjuriousone，andoughtgradually，ifnotrapidly，toberemoved。Theconditionofthetreasuryatthistimewouldseemtorenderanearlyrevisionofthetariffindispensable。TheMorrill[tariff]bill，nowpendingbeforeCongress，mayormaynotbecomealaw。Iamnotpostedastoitsparticularprovisions，butiftheyaregenerallysatisfactory，andthebillshallnowpass，therewillbeanendforthepresent。If，however，itshallnotpass，IsupposethewholesubjectwillbeoneofthemostpressingandimportantforthenextCongress。BytheConstitution，theexecutivemayrecommendmeasureswhichhemaythinkproper，andhemayvetothosehethinksimproper，anditissupposedthathemayaddtothesecertainindirectinfluencestoaffecttheactionofCongress。Mypoliticaleducationstronglyinclinesmeagainstaveryfreeuseofanyofthesemeansbytheexecutivetocontrolthelegislationofthecountry。Asarule，IthinkitbetterthatCongressshouldoriginateaswellasperfectitsmeasureswithoutexternalbias。IthereforewouldratherrecommendtoeverygentlemanwhoknowsheistobeamemberofthenextCongresstotakeanenlargedview，andposthimselfthoroughly，soastocontributehisparttosuchanadjustmentofthetariffasshallproduceasufficientrevenue，andinitsotherbearings，sofaraspossible，bejustandequaltoallsectionsofthecountryandclassesofthepeople。
ADDRESSATCLEVELAND，OHIO，FEBRUARY15，1861
Mr。CHAIRMANANDFELLOW—CITIZENSOFCLEVELAND：——Wehavebeenmarchingabouttwomilesthroughsnow，rain，anddeepmud。Thelargenumbersthathaveturnedoutunderthesecircumstancestestifythatyouareinearnestaboutsomethingorother。ButdoIthinksomeanlyofyouastosupposethatthatearnestnessisaboutmepersonally？Iwouldbedoingyouaninjusticetosupposeyoudid。YouhaveassembledtotestifyyourrespectfortheUnion，theConstitution，andthelaws；
andhereletmesaythatitiswithyou，thepeople，toadvancethegreatcauseoftheUnionandtheConstitution，andnotwithanyoneman。Itrestswithyoualone。Thisfactisstronglyimpresseduponmymindatpresent。Inacommunitylikethis，whoseappearancetestifiestotheirintelligence，IamconvincedthatthecauseoflibertyandtheUnioncanneverbeindanger。Frequentallusionismadetotheexcitementatpresentexistinginournationalpolitics，anditisaswellthatIshouldalsoalludetoithere。Ithinkthatthereisnooccasionforanyexcitement。’Thecrisis，asitiscalled，isaltogetheranartificialcrisis。Inallpartsofthenationtherearedifferencesofopiniononpolitics。Therearedifferencesofopinionevenhere。Youdidnotallvoteforthepersonwhonowaddressesyou。Whatishappeningnowwillnothurtthosewhoarefartherawayfromhere。Havetheynotalltheirrightsnowastheyeverhavehad？Dotheynothavetheirfugitiveslavesreturnednowasever？HavetheynotthesameConstitutionthattheyhavelivedunderforseventy—oddyears？Havetheynotapositionascitizensofthiscommoncountry，andhaveweanypowertochangethatposition？What，then，isthematterwiththem？Whyallthisexcitement？Whyallthesecomplaints？
AsIsaidbefore，thiscrisisisallartificial！Ithasnofoundationinfacts。Itisnotarguedup，asthesayingis，andcannot，therefore，beargueddown。Letitaloneanditwillgodownofitself。
[Mr。Lincolnthensaidthattheymustbecontentwithafewwordsfromhim，ashewastired，etc。HavingbeengiventounderstandthatthecrowdwasnotallRepublican，butconsistedofmenofallparties，hecontinued：]
Thisisasitshouldbe。IfJudgeDouglashadbeenelectedandhadbeenhereonhiswaytoWashington，asIamto—night，theRepublicansshouldhavejoinedhissupportersinwelcominghim，justashisfriendshavejoinedwithminetonight。IfalldonotjoinnowtosavethegoodoldshipoftheUnionthisvoyage，nobodywillhaveachancetopilotheronanothervoyage。
ADDRESSATBUFFALO，NEWYORK，FEBRUARY16，1861
Mr。MAYORANDFELLOW—CITIZENSOFBUFFALOANDTHESTATEOFNEWYORK：——
Iamheretothankyoubrieflyforthisgrandreceptiongiventome，notpersonally，butastherepresentativeofourgreatandbelovedcountry。Yourworthymayorhasbeenpleasedtomention，inhisaddresstome，thefortunateandagreeablejourneywhichIhavehadfromhome，onmyrathercircuitousroutetotheFederalcapital。I
amveryhappythathewasenabledintruthtocongratulatemyselfandcompanyonthatfact。Itistruewehavehadnothingthusfar。tomarthepleasureofthetrip。Wehavenotbeenmetalonebythosewhoassistedingivingtheelectiontome——Isaynotalonebythem，butbythewholepopulationofthecountrythroughwhichwehavepassed。Thisisasitshouldbe。Hadtheelectionfallentoanyotherofthedistinguishedcandidatesinsteadofmyself，underthepeculiarcircumstances，tosaytheleast，itwouldhavebeenproperforallcitizenstohavegreetedhimasyounowgreetme。ItisanevidenceofthedevotionofthewholepeopletotheConstitution，theUnion，andtheperpetuityofthelibertiesofthiscountry。IamunwillingonanyoccasionthatIshouldbesomeanlythoughtofastohaveitsupposedforamomentthatthesedemonstrationsaretenderedtomepersonally。Theyaretenderedtothecountry，totheinstitutionsofthecountry，andtotheperpetuityofthelibertiesofthecountry，forwhichtheseinstitutionsweremadeandcreated。
YourworthymayorhasthoughtfittoexpressthehopethatImaybeabletorelievethecountryfromthepresent，or，Ishouldsay，thethreateneddifficulties。IamsureIbringahearttruetothework。
Fortheabilitytoperformit，ImusttrustinthatSupremeBeingwhohasneverforsakenthisfavoredland，throughtheinstrumentalityofthisgreatandintelligentpeople。WithoutthatassistanceIshallsurelyfail；withit，Icannotfail。WhenwespeakofthreateneddifficultiestotheCountry，itisnaturalthatitshouldbeexpectedthatsomethingshouldbesaidbymyselfwithregardtoparticularmeasures。Uponmorematurereflection，however，otherswillagreewithmethat，whenitisconsideredthatthesedifficultiesarewithoutprecedent，andhaveneverbeenacteduponbyanyindividualsituatedasIam，itismostproperIshouldwaitandseethedevelopments，andgetallthelightpossible，sothatwhenIdospeakauthoritatively，Imaybeasnearrightaspossible。WhenIshallspeakauthoritatively，IhopetosaynothinginconsistentwiththeConstitution，theUnion，therightsofalltheStates，ofeachState，andofeachsectionofthecountry，andnottodisappointthereasonableexpectationsofthosewhohaveconfidedtometheirvotes。
Inthisconnectionallowmetosaythatyou，asaportionofthegreatAmericanpeople，needonlytomaintainyourcomposure，standuptoyoursoberconvictionsofright，toyourobligationstotheConstitution，andactinaccordancewiththosesoberconvictions，andthecloudsnowonthehorizonwillbedispelled，andweshallhaveabrightandgloriousfuture；andwhenthisgenerationhaspassedaway，tensofthousandswillinhabitthiscountrywhereonlythousandsinhabititnow。Idonotproposetoaddressyouatlength；Ihavenovoiceforit。Allowmeagaintothankyouforthismagnificentreception，andbidyoufarewell。
ADDRESSATROCHESTER，NEWYORK，FEBRUARY18，1861
Iconfessmyself，afterhavingseenmanylargeaudiencessinceleavinghome，overwhelmedwiththisvastnumberoffacesatthishourofthemorning。Iamnotvainenoughtobelievethatyouareherefromanywishtoseemeasanindividual，butbecauseIamforthetimebeingtherepresentativeoftheAmericanpeople。Icouldnot，ifIwould，addressyouatanylength。Ihavenotthestrength，evenifIhadthetime，foraspeechateachofthesemanyinterviewsthatareaffordedmeonmywaytoWashington。Iappearmerelytoseeyou，andtoletyouseeme，andtobidyou。farewell。IhopeitwillbeunderstoodthatitisfromnodisinclinationtoobligeanybodythatI
donotaddressyouatgreaterlength。
ADDRESSATSYRACUSE，NEWYORK，FEBRUARY18，1861。
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN：——ISeeyouhaveerectedaveryfineandhandsomeplatformhereforme，andIpresumeyouexpectedmetospeakfromit。IfIshouldgouponit，youwouldimaginethatIwasabouttodeliveryouamuchlongerspeechthanIam。IwishyoutounderstandthatImeannodiscourtesytoyoubythusdeclining。I
intenddiscourtesytonoone。ButIwishyoutounderstandthat，thoughIamunwillingtogouponthisplatform，youarenotatlibertytodrawinferencesconcerninganyotherplatformwithwhichmynamehasbeenorisconnected。Iwishyoulonglifeandprosperityindividually，andpraythatwiththeperpetuityofthoseinstitutionsunderwhichwehaveallsolonglivedandprospered，ourhappinessmaybesecured，ourfuturemadebrilliant，andthegloriousdestinyofourcountryestablishedforever。Ibidyouakindfarewell。
ADDRESSATUTICA，NEWYORK，FEBRUARY18，1860
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN：——Ihavenospeechtomaketoyou；andnotimetospeakin。IappearbeforeyouthatImayseeyou，andthatyoumayseeme；andIamwillingtoadmitthatsofarastheladiesareconcernedIhavethebestofthebargain，thoughIwishittobeunderstoodthatIdonotmakethesameacknowledgmentconcerningthemen。
REPLYTOTHEMAYOROFALBANY，NEWYORK
FEBRUARY18，1861。
MR。MAYOR：——Icanhardlyappropriatetomyselftheflatteringtermsinwhichyoucommunicatethetenderofthisreception，aspersonaltomyself。Imostgratefullyacceptthehospitalitiestenderedtome，andwillnotdetainyouortheaudiencewithanyextendedremarksatthistime。IpresumethatinthetwoorthreecoursesthroughwhichIshallhavetogo，Ishallhavetorepeatsomewhat，andIwillthereforeonlyexpresstoyoumythanksforthiskindreception。
REPLYTOGOVERNORMORGANOFNEWYORK，ATALBANY，FEBRUARY18，1861。
GOVERNORMORGAN：——IwaspleasedtoreceiveaninvitationtovisitthecapitalofthegreatEmpireStateofthisnationwhileonmywaytotheFederalcapital。Inowthankyou，Mr。Governor，andyou，thepeopleofthecapitaloftheStateofNewYork，forthismostheartyandmagnificentwelcome。IfIamnotatfault，thegreatEmpireStateatthistimecontainsalargerpopulationthandidthewholeoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaatthetimetheyachievedtheirnationalindependence，andIwasproud——tobeinvitedtovisititscapital，tomeetitscitizens，asInowhavethehonortodo。Iamnotifiedbyyourgovernorthatthisreceptionistenderedbycitizenswithoutdistinctionofparty。BecauseofthisIacceptitthemoregladly。
Inthiscountry，andinanycountrywherefreedomofthoughtistolerated，citizensattachthemselvestopoliticalparties。Itisbutanordinarydegreeofcharitytoattributethisacttothesuppositionthat，inthusattachingthemselvestothevariousparties，eachmaninhisownjudgmentsupposeshetherebybestadvancestheinterestsofthewholecountry。Andwhenanelectionispastitisaltogetherbefittingafreepeople，asIsuppose，that，untilthenextelection，theyshouldbeonepeople。Thereceptionyouhaveextendedmeto—dayisnotgiventomepersonally，——itshouldnotbeso，——butastherepresentative，forthetimebeing，ofthemajorityofthenation。Iftheelectionhadfallentoanyofthemoredistinguishedcitizenswhoreceivedthesupportofthepeople，thissamehonorshouldhavegreetedhimthatgreetsmethisday，intestimonyoftheuniversal，unanimousdevotionofthewholepeopletotheConstitution，theUnion，andtotheperpetuallibertiesofsucceedinggenerationsinthiscountry。
Ihaveneitherthevoicenorthestrengthtoaddressyouatanygreaterlength。Ibegyouwillthereforeacceptmymostgratefulthanksforthismanifestdevotion——nottome，buttheinstitutionsofthisgreatandgloriouscountry。
ADDRESSTOTHELEGISLATUREOFNEWYORK，ATALBANY，FEBRUARY18，1861。
MR。PRESIDENTANDGENTLEMENOFTHEGENERALASSEMBLYOFTHESTATEOF
NEWYORK：——Itiswithfeelingsofgreatdiffidence，and，Imaysay，withfeelingsofawe，perhapsgreaterthanIhaverecentlyexperienced，thatImeetyouhereinthisplace。ThehistoryofthisgreatState，therenownofthosegreatmenwhohavestoodhere，andhavespokenhere，andhavebeenheardhere，allcrowdaroundmyfancy，andinclinemetoshrinkfromanyattempttoaddressyou。YetIhavesomeconfidencegivenmebythegenerousmannerinwhichyouhaveinvitedme，andbythestillmoregenerousmannerinwhichyouhavereceivedme，tospeakfurther。Youhaveinvitedandreceivedmewithoutdistinctionofparty。Icannotforamomentsupposethatthishasbeendoneinanyconsiderabledegreewithreferencetomypersonalservices，butthatitisdoneinsofarasIamregarded，atthistime，astherepresentativeofthemajestyofthisgreatnation。
Idoubtnotthisisthetruth，andthewholetruthofthecase，andthisisasitshouldbe。Itismuchmoregratifyingtomethatthisreceptionhasbeengiventomeastheelectedrepresentativeofafreepeople，thanitcouldpossiblybeiftenderedmerelyasanevidenceofdevotiontome，ortoanyonemanpersonally。
AndnowIthinkitweremorefittingthatIshouldclosethesehastyremarks。Itistruethat，whileIholdmyself，withoutmockmodesty，thehumblestofallindividualsthathaveeverbeenelevatedtothePresidency，Ihaveamoredifficulttasktoperformthananyoneofthem。
Youhavegenerouslytenderedmethesupport——theunitedsupport——ofthegreatEmpireState。Forthis，inbehalfofthenation——inbehalfofthepresentandfutureofthenation——inbehalfofcivilandreligiouslibertyforalltimetocome，mostgratefullydoIthankyou。Idonotproposetoenterintoanexplanationofanyparticularlineofpolicy，astoourpresentdifficulties，tobeadoptedbytheincomingadministration。Ideemitjusttoyou，tomyself，toall，thatIshouldseeeverything，thatIshouldheareverything，thatI
shouldhaveeverylightthatcanbebroughtwithinmyreach，inorderthat，whenIdosospeak，Ishallhaveenjoyedeveryopportunitytotakecorrectandtrueground；andforthisreasonIdonotproposetospeakatthistimeofthepolicyoftheGovernment。Butwhenthetimecomes，Ishallspeak，aswellasIamable，forthegoodofthepresentandfutureofthiscountryforthegoodbothoftheNorthandoftheSouth——forthegoodoftheoneandtheother，andofallsectionsofthecountry。Inthemeantime，ifwehavepatience，ifwerestrainourselves，ifweallowourselvesnottorunoffinapassion，IstillhaveconfidencethattheAlmighty，theMakeroftheuniverse，will，throughtheinstrumentalityofthisgreatandintelligentpeople，bringusthroughthisasHehasthroughalltheotherdifficultiesofourcountry。Relyingonthis，Iagainthankyouforthisgenerousreception。
ADDRESSATTROY，NEWYORK，FEBRUARY19，1861
MR。MAYORANDCITIZENSOFTROY：——Ithankyouverykindlyforthisgreatreception。SinceIleftmyhomeithasnotbeenmyfortunetomeetanassemblagemorenumerousandmoreorderlythanthis。Iamthemoregratifiedatthismarkofyourregardsinceyouassuremeitistendered，nottotheindividualbuttothehighofficeyouhavecalledmetofill。Ihaveneitherstrengthnortimetomakeanyextendedremarksonthisoccasion，andIcanonlyrepeattoyoumysincerethanksforthekindreceptionyouhavethoughtpropertoextendtome。
ADDRESSATPOUGHKEEPSIE，NEWYORK，FEBRUARY19，1861
FELLOW—CITIZENS：——ItisaltogetherimpossibleIshouldmakemyselfheardbyanyconsiderableportionofthisvastassemblage；but，althoughIappearbeforeyoumainlyforthepurposeofseeingyou，andtoletyouseeratherthanhearme，IcannotrefrainfromsayingthatIamhighlygratified——asmuchhere，indeed，underthecircumstances，asIhavebeenanywhereonmyroute——towitnessthisnobledemonstration——made，notinhonorofanindividual，butofthemanwhoatthistimehumbly，butearnestly，representsthemajestyofthenation。
Thisreception，likealltheothersthathavebeentenderedtome，doubtlessemanatesfromallthepoliticalparties，andnotfromonealone。AssuchIacceptitthemoregratefully，sinceitindicatesanearnestdesireonthepartofthewholepeople，withoutregardtopoliticaldifferences，tosave——notthecountry，becausethecountrywillsaveitselfbuttosavetheinstitutionsofthecountry，thoseinstitutionsunderwhich，inthelastthreequartersofacentury，wehavegrowntoagreat，andintelligent，andahappypeople——thegreatest，themostintelligent，andthehappiestpeopleintheworld。
Thesenoblemanifestationsindicate，withunerringcertainty，thatthewholepeoplearewillingtomakecommoncauseforthisobject；
thatif，asitevermustbe，somehavebeensuccessfulintherecentelectionandsomehavebeenbeaten，ifsomearesatisfiedandsomearedissatisfied，thedefeatedpartyarenotinfavorofsinkingtheship，butaredesirousofrunningitthroughthetempestinsafety，andwilling，iftheythinkthepeoplehavecommittedanerrorintheirverdictnow，towaitinthehopeofreversingitandsettingitrightnexttime。Idonotsaythatintherecentelectionthepeopledidthewisestthing，thatcouldhavebeendone——indeed，Idonotthinktheydid；butIdosaythatinacceptingthegreattrustcommittedtome，whichIdowithadeterminationtoendeavortoproveworthyofit，Imustrelyuponyou，uponthepeopleofthewholecountry，forsupport；andwiththeirsustainingaid，evenI，humbleasIam，cannotfailtocarrytheshipofstatesafelythroughthestorm。
Ihavenowonlytothankyouwarmlyforyourkindattendance，andbidyouallanaffectionatefarewell。
ADDRESSATHUDSON，NEWYORK，。
FEBRUARY19，1860
FELLOW—CITIZENS：——Iseethatyouareprovidingaplatformforme。I
shallhavetodeclinestandinguponit，becausethepresidentofthecompanytellsmethatIshallnothavetimetowaituntilitisbroughttome。AsIsaidyesterday，undersimilarcircumstancesatanothergathering，youmustnotdrawtheinferencethatIhaveanyintentionofdesertinganyplatformwithwhichIhavealegitimateconnectionbecauseIdonotstandonyours。Allowmetothankyouforthissplendidreception，andInowbidyoufarewell。
ADDRESSATPEEKSKILL，NEWYORK，FEBRUARY19，1861
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN：——Ihavebutamomenttostandbeforeyoutolistentoandreturnyourkindgreeting。Ithankyouforthisreception，andforthepleasantmannerinwhichitistenderedtomebyourmutualfriends。Iwillsayinasinglesentence，inregardtothedifficultiesthatliebeforemeandourbelovedcountry，thatifIcanonlybeasgenerouslyandunanimouslysustainedasthedemonstrationsIhavewitnessedindicateIshallbe，Ishallnotfail；butwithoutyoursustaininghandsIamsurethatneitherInoranyothermancanhopetosurmountthesedifficulties。ItrustthatinthecourseIshallpursueIshallbesustainednotonlybythepartythatelectedme，butbythepatrioticpeopleofthewholecountry。
ADDRESSATFISHKILLLANDING
FEBRUARY19，1861
LADIESANDGENTLEMEN：——Iappearbeforeyounottomakeaspeech。I
havenotsufficienttime，ifIhadthestrength，torepeatspeechesateverystationwherethepeoplekindlygathertowelcomemeaswegoalong。IfIhadthestrength，andshouldtakethetime，IshouldnotgettoWashingtonuntilaftertheinauguration，whichyoumustbeawarewouldnotfitexactly。Thatsuchanuntowardeventmightnottranspire，Iknowyouwillreadilyforegoanyfurtherremarks；andI
closebybiddingyoufarewell。
REMARKSATTHEASTORHOUSE，NEWYORKCITY，FEBRUARY19，1861
FELLOW—CITIZENS：——Ihavesteppedbeforeyoumerelyincompliancewithwhatappearstobeyourwish，andnotwiththepurposeofmakingaspeech。Idonotproposemakingaspeechthisafternoon。Icouldnotbeheardbyanybutasmallfractionofyou，atbest；but，whatisstillworsethanthat，Ihavenothingjustnowtosaythatisworthyofyourhearing。IbegyoutobelievethatIdonotnowrefusetoaddressyoufromanydispositiontodisobligeyou，buttothecontrary。But，atthesametime，Ibegofyoutoexcusemeforthepresent。
ADDRESSATNEWYORKCITY，FEBRUARY19，1861
Mr。CHAIRMANANDGENTLEMEN：——IamratheranoldmantoavailmyselfofsuchanexcuseasIamnowabouttodo。Yetthetruthissodistinct，andpressesitselfsodistinctlyuponme，thatIcannotwellavoidit——andthatis，thatIdidnotunderstandwhenIwasbroughtintothisroomthatIwastobebroughtheretomakeaspeech。ItwasnotintimatedtomethatIwasbroughtintotheroomwhereDanielWebsterandHenryClayhadmadespeeches，andwhereoneinmypositionmightbeexpectedtodosomethinglikethosemenorsaysomethingworthyofmyselformyaudience。IthereforebegyoutomakeallowanceforthecircumstancesinwhichIhavebeenbysurprisebroughtbeforeyou。NowIhavebeeninthehabitofthinkingandsometimesspeakinguponpoliticalquestionsthathaveforsomeyearspastagitatedthecountry；and，ifIweredisposedtodoso，andwecouldtakeupsomeoneoftheissues，asthelawyerscallthem，andIwerecalledupontomakeanargumentaboutittothebestofmyability，Icoulddosowithoutmuchpreparation。Butthatisnotwhatyoudesiretohavedonehereto—night。
Ihavebeenoccupyingaposition，sincethePresidentialelection，ofsilence——ofavoidingpublicspeaking，ofavoidingpublicwriting。I
havebeendoingsobecauseIthought，uponfullconsideration，thatwasthepropercourseformetotake。Iambroughtbeforeyounow，andrequiredtomakeaspeech，whenyouallapprovemorethananythingelseofthefactthatIhavebeenkeepingsilence。Andnowitseemstomethattheresponseyougivetothatremarkoughttojustifymeinclosingjusthere。IhavenotkeptsilencesincethePresidentialelectionfromanypartywantonness，orfromanyindifferencetotheanxietythatpervadesthemindsofmenabouttheaspectofthepoliticalaffairsofthiscountry。IhavekeptsilenceforthereasonthatIsupposeditwaspeculiarlyproperthatIshoulddosountilthetimecamewhen，accordingtothecustomofthecountry，Icouldspeakofficially。
Istillsupposethat，whilethepoliticaldramabeingenactedinthiscountryatthistimeisrapidlyshiftingitsscenes——forbiddingananticipationwithanydegreeofcertaintyto—dayofwhatweshallseeto—morrow——itispeculiarlyfittingthatIshouldseeitall，uptothelastminute，beforeIshouldtakegroundthatImightbedisposed，bytheshiftingofthescenesafterward，alsotoshift。I
havesaidseveraltimesuponthisjourney，andInowrepeatittoyou，thatwhenthetimedoescome，IshallthentakethegroundthatIthinkisright——rightfortheNorth，fortheSouth，fortheEast，fortheWest，forthewholecountry。AndindoingsoIhopetofeelnonecessitypressinguponmetosayanythinginconflictwiththeConstitution，inconflictwiththecontinuedunionoftheseStates，inconflictwiththeperpetuationofthelibertiesofthispeople，oranythinginconflictwithanythingwhateverthatIhaveevergivenyoureasontoexpectfromme。Andnow，myfriends，haveIsaidenough？[Loudcriesof\"No，no！\"and’ThreecheersforLINCOLN！\"]
Now，myfriends，thereappearstobeadifferenceofopinionbetweenyouandme，andIreallyfeelcalledupontodecidethequestionmyself。
REPLYTOTHEMAYOROFNEWYORKCITY，FEBRUARY20，1861
Mr。MAYOR：——ItiswithfeelingsofdeepgratitudethatImakemyacknowledgmentsforthereceptionthathasbeengivenmeinthegreatcommercialcityofNewYork。Icannotbutrememberthatitisdonebythepeoplewhodonot，byalargemajority，agreewithmeinpoliticalsentiment。ItisthemoregratefultomebecauseinthisI
seethatforthegreatprinciplesofourGovernmentthepeopleareprettynearlyorquiteunanimous。Inregardtothedifficultiesthatconfrontusatthistime，andofwhichyouhaveseenfittospeaksobecominglyandsojustly，IcanonlysayIagreewiththesentimentsexpressed。InmydevotiontotheUnionIhopeIambehindnomaninthenation。AstomywisdominconductingaffairssoastotendtothepreservationoftheUnion，Ifeartoogreatconfidencemayhavebeenplacedinme。IamsureIbringaheartdevotedtothework。
Thereisnothingthatcouldeverbringmetoconsent——willinglytoconsent——tothedestructionofthisUnioninwhichnotonlythegreatcityofNewYork，butthewholecountry，hasacquireditsgreatness，unlessitwouldbethatthingforwhichtheUnionitselfwasmade。Iunderstandthattheshipismadeforthecarryingandpreservationofthecargo；andsolongastheshipissafewiththecargo，itshallnotbeabandoned。ThisUnionshallneverbeabandoned，unlessthepossibilityofitsexistenceshallceasetoexistwithoutthenecessityofthrowingpassengersandcargooverboard。Solong，then，asitispossiblethattheprosperityandlibertiesofthispeoplecanbepreservedwithinthisUnion，itshallbemypurposeatalltunestopreserveit。Andnow，Mr。Mayor，renewingmythanksforthiscordialreception，allowmetocometoaclose。
ADDRESSATJERSEYCITY，NEWJERSEY
FEBRUARY21，1860
MR。DAYTONANDGENTLEMENOFTHESTATEOFNEWJERSEY：——Ishallonlythankyoubrieflyforthisverykindreceptiongivenme，notpersonally，butasthetemporaryrepresentativeofthemajestyofthenation。Tothekindnessofyourhearts，andoftheheartsofyourbrethreninyourState，Ishouldbeveryproudtorespond，butI
shallnothavestrengthtoaddressyouorotherassemblagesatlength，evenifIhadthetimetodoso。Iappearbeforeyou，therefore，forlittleelsethantogreetyou，andtobrieflysayfarewell。Youhavedonemetheveryhighhonortopresentyourreceptioncourtesiestomethroughyourgreatmanamanwithwhomitisanhonortobeassociatedanywhere，andinowningwhomnoStatecanbepoor。Hehassaidenough，andbythesayingofitsuggestedenough，torequirearesponseofanhour，wellconsidered。Icouldnotinanhourmakeaworthyresponsetoit。Itherefore，ladiesandgentlemenofNewJersey，contentmyselfwithsaying，mostheartilydoIindorseallthesentimentshehasexpressed。Allowme，mostgratefully，tobidyoufarewell。
REPLYTOTHEMAYOROFNEWARK，NEWJERSEY，FEBRUARY21，1861。
MR。MAYOR：——IthankyouforthisreceptionatthecityofNewark。
Withregardtothegreatworkofwhichyouspeak，IwillsaythatI
bringtoitaheartfilledwithloveformycountry，andanhonestdesiretodowhatisright。Iamsure，however，thatIhavenottheabilitytodoanythingunaidedofGod，andthatwithoutHissupportandthatofthisfree，happy，prosperous，andintelligentpeople，nomancansucceedindoingthattheimportanceofwhichweallcomprehend。Againthankingyouforthereceptionyouhavegivenme，Iwillnowbidyoufarewell，andproceeduponmyjourney。
ADDRESSINTRENTONATTHETRENTONHOUSE，FEBRUARY21，1861
IhavebeeninvitedbyyourrepresentativestotheLegislaturetovisitthisthecapitalofyourhonoredState，andinacknowledgingtheirkindinvitation，compelledtorespondtothewelcomeofthepresidingofficersofeachbody，andIsupposetheyintendedIshouldspeaktoyouthroughthem，astheyaretherepresentativesofallofyou；andifIweretospeakagainhere，IshouldonlyhavetorepeatinagreatmeasuremuchthatIhavesaid，whichwouldbedisgustingtomyfriendsaroundmewhohavemethere。Ihavenospeechtomake，butmerelyappeartoseeyouandletyoulookatme；andastothelatterIthinkIhavegreatlythebestofthebargain。Myfriends，allowmetobidyoufarewell。
ADDRESSTOTHESENATEOFNEWJERSEY
FEBRUARY21，1861
MR。PRESIDENTANDGENTLEMENOFTHESENATEOFTHESTATEOFNEW
JERSEY：——IamverygratefultoyouforthehonorablereceptionofwhichIhavebeentheobject。IcannotbutremembertheplacethatNewJerseyholdsinourearlyhistory。IntheRevolutionarystrugglefewoftheStatesamongtheOldThirteenhadmoreofthebattle—
fieldsofthecountrywithintheirlimitsthanNewJersey。MayIbepardonedif，uponthisoccasion，Imentionthatawaybackinmychildhood，theearliestdaysofmybeingabletoread，Igotholdofasmallbook，suchaoneasfewoftheyoungermembershaveeverseenWeems’sLifeofWashington。Irememberalltheaccountstheregivenofthebattle—fieldsandstrugglesforthelibertiesofthecountry；
andnonefixedthemselvesuponmyimaginationsodeeplyasthestrugglehereatTrenton，NewJersey。Thecrossingoftheriver，thecontestwiththeHessians，thegreathardshipsenduredatthattime，allfixedthemselvesonmymemorymorethananysingleRevolutionaryevent；andyouallknow，foryouhaveallbeenboys，howtheseearlyimpressionslastlongerthananyothers。Irecollectthinkingthen，boyeventhoughIwas，thattheremusthavebeensomethingmorethancommonthatthesemenstruggledfor。Iamexceedinglyanxiousthatthatthingthatsomethingevenmorethannationalindependence，thatsomethingthatheldoutagreatpromisetoallthepeopleoftheworldtoalltimetocome——IamexceedinglyanxiousthatthisUnion，theConstitution，andthelibertiesofthepeopleshallbeperpetuatedinaccordancewiththeoriginalideaforwhichthatstrugglewasmade；andIshallbemosthappyindeedifIshallbeahumbleinstrumentinthehandsoftheAlmighty，andofthishisalmostchosenpeople，forperpetuatingtheobjectofthatgreatstruggle。Yougivemethisreception，asIunderstand，withoutdistinctionofparty。Ilearnthatthisbodyiscomposedofamajorityofgentlemenwho，intheexerciseoftheirbestjudgmentinthechoiceofachiefmagistrate，didnotthinkIwastheman。I
understand，nevertheless，thattheycomeforwardheretogreetmeastheconstitutionallyelectedPresidentoftheUnitedStates——ascitizensoftheUnitedStatestomeetthemanwho，forthetimebeing，istherepresentativeofthemajestyofthenation——unitedbythesinglepurposetoperpetuatetheConstitution，theunion，andthelibertiesofthepeople。Assuch，IacceptthisreceptionmoregratefullythanIcoulddodidIbelieveitweretenderedtomeasanindividual。
ADDRESSTOTHEASSEMBLYOFNEWJERSEY，FEBRUARY21，1861
MR。SPEAKERANDGENTLEMEN：IhavejustenjoyedthehonorofareceptionbytheotherbranchofthisLegislature，andIreturntoyouandthemmythanksforthereceptionwhichthepeopleofNewJerseyhavegiventhroughtheirchosenrepresentativestomeastherepresentative，forthetimebeing，ofthemajestyofthepeopleoftheUnitedStates。IappropriatetomyselfverylittleofthedemonstrationsofrespectwithwhichIhavebeengreeted。Ithinklittleshouldbegiventoanyman，butthatitshouldbeamanifestationofadherencetotheUnionandtheConstitution。
IunderstandmyselftobereceivedherebytherepresentativesofthepeopleofNewJersey，amajorityofwhomdifferinopinionfromthosewithwhomIhaveacted。ThismanifestationisthereforetoberegardedbymeasexpressingtheirdevotiontotheUnion，theConstitution，andthelibertiesofthepeople。
You，Mr。Speaker，havewellsaidthatthisisatimewhenthebravestandwisestlookwithdoubtandaweupontheaspectpresentedbyournationalaffairs。UnderthesecircumstancesyouwillreadilyseewhyIshouldnotspeakindetailofthecourseIshalldeemitbesttopursue。ItisproperthatIshouldavailmyselfofalltheinformationandallthetimeatmycommand，inorderthatwhenthetimearrivesinwhichImustspeakofficially，IshallbeabletotakethegroundwhichIdeembestandsafest，andfromwhichImayhavenooccasiontoswerve。IshallendeavortotakethegroundI
deemmostjusttotheNorth，theEast，theWest，theSouth，andthewholecountry。Ishalltakeit，Ihope，ingoodtemper，certainlywithnomalicetoward，anysection。Ishalldoallthatmaybeinmypowertopromoteapeacefulsettlementofallourdifficulties。ThemandoesnotlivewhoismoredevotedtopeacethanIam，nonewhowoulddomoretopreserveit，butitmaybenecessarytoputthefootdownfirmly。AndifIdomydutyanddoright，youwillsustainme，willyounot？[Loudcheers，andcriesof\"Yes，yes；wewill。\"]
ReceivedasIambythemembersofaLegislaturethemajorityofwhomdonotagreewithmeinpoliticalsentiments，ItrustthatImayhavetheirassistanceinpilotingtheshipofstatethroughthisvoyage，surroundedbyperilsasitis；forifitshouldsufferwrecknow，therewillbenopiloteverneededforanothervoyage。