Tour of Mr. Lincoln.
The arrival of Mr. Lincoln in New York, on Tuesday, has been published. From a window of the Astor House he made the following speech:Speech of Mr. Lincoln.
Mr. President and Gentlemen — I am rather an old man to avail myself of such excuses as I am now about to do; yet the truth is so distinct, and pressing so directly upon me, that I cannot well avoid it — and that is, that I did not understand when I was brought into this room that I was brought in to make a speech. It was not told so. It was not intimated to me that I was to be brought into a room where Daniel Webster and Henry Clay had made speeches, when in my position I might be expected to do something like these men, or do something unworthy of myself or my audience. I therefore will beg you to make very great allowance for the circumstances in which I have been by surprise brought before you now. I have been very much in the habit of speaking, and speaking sometimes upon the political questions that have for some years agitated the country, and if I were disposed to do so, and we could take up some of the issues — as the lawyers call them — some one of the peculiar questions in dispute, and I were called upon to make an argument upon it, why, to the best of my ability, I could do it without much preparation; but that is not what you desire to have done here to- night. I have been occupying a position, since the Presidential election, of silence — of avoiding public speaking, and of avoiding public writing. I have been doing so not because. I thought, upon full consideration, that that was the course for me to take,--[Great applause.] I am brought before you now and am required to make a speech when you all approve more than anything the fact that I have been keeping silence. [Laughter and loud applause.] And now, it seems to me, the response you gave to that sentiment ought to justify me in closing just here. [Renewed laughter.] I have not kept silent about the Presidential election for any party wantonness, or from any indifference to the anxieties that pervade the minds of men about the aspects of political affairs in this country. I have kept silence for the reason that I supposed it was peculiarly proper that I should do so, until the time should come when, according to the custom of the country, I should speak officially. [Applause.] I hear some gentlemen say, ‘"according to the customs of the country."’ I allude to the customs of the President at the time of taking the oath of office; that is what I mean when I speak of the custom of the country. I had supposed that when the political drama, being enacted before the country at this time — which is rapidly shifting its scenes, preventing us from anticipating with any degree of certainty today what we shall see to-morrow — that it was peculiarly fitting that I should see it all up to the very last minute; that I should take no ground, so that with the shifting of scenes I could also shift. [Moderate laughter.]--I have said several times on my journey that when the time does come [applause]--that when it does come — I shall then take a ground which I think is right — a ground that I shall think right for the North, the South, the East, and the West--for the whole country, ["Good," and cheers;] and in saying so I hope to feel no necessity pressing upon me to say anything in conflict with the Constitution, or in conflict with the perpetuity and Union of these States, [cheers,] or in conflict with the perpetuity of the liberties of the people, or anything in conflict with anything whatever that I have ever given you reason to expect from me. [Cheers.] And now, my friends, have not I said enough? I think I have.--[Laughter, cries of "no," "go on," "three cheers for Abe Lincoln," which were given.] Well, now, my friends, there is a difference of opinion between you and me. I really think I have said enough, and I shall take the liberty of deciding the question myself. [Laughter and applause.]Hand-Shaking — Tom Hyer.
After the address, Mr. Lincoln proceeded to the other end of the room, followed by nearly the whole auditory. There, taking up a position between two large columns, and with two lines of policemen, each of five or six men, before him, he shook hands with nearly all hands; until all who desired to had shaken hands with him. He then retired. Calls had been made for Mr. Hamlin, but it was soon rumored about the room that the Vice-President elect had not yet arrived Mr. Lincoln's withdrawal was speedily followed by the withdrawal of the large body of visitors. Among the persons who were introduced by name during the hand-shaking ceremony, was Tom Hyer, to whom Mr. Lincoln jocosely said, as he raised his hands and playfully warded off the great pugilist, "Don't strike me, Mr. Hyer." This episode caused much amusement to the few persons who were near enough to the parties to witness it. For hours after these ceremonies, the hotel lobbies continued to be crowded by the curious, hoping to see the distinguished splitter of rails. The 16th Ward Republican headquarters, on 8th avenue, was illuminated last evening with Wide Awake torches, transparencies, &c., and the Republicans enjoyed themselves hugely. A dog running up and down, as if in affright, or in search of his master, the long aisle on Broadway, in front of the Astor, now guarded by policemen, was cheered lustily by the crowd. The police pursued him, but all in vain for a while, when, finally, amid the two younger children to the Astor House, where they alighted at the privates' door in Vesey street-- "Bob" came with some of the members of the press.Reception of the President elect at New York.
New York,Feb. 20.
--Mayor Wood formally received Mr. Lincoln this morning in the Governor's room of the City Hall.
The Mayor said the city of New York had never offered its hospitalities to a man elethed with more exalted powers or resting under greater responsibilities than those which circumstances have devolved upon you. Coming into office with a dismembered government to reconstruct and a disconnected and hostile people to reconcile, it will require high patriotism and an elevated comprehension or the whole country — its varied interests, opinions and prejudices — to so conduct public affairs as to bring back again our former harmonious, consolidated and prosperous condition.
Mr. Lincoln responded, agreeing with the sentiments of the Mayor.
In his devotion to the Union, he said he was behind no man. In wisdom he may be deficient, but he had a heart devoted to the work. 