that this is the 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 the 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 take it, I hope, in good temper, - certainly with no malice towards 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 firmly down; and if I do my duty, and do it right, you will sustain me, will you not? Received as I am by the members of a Legislature, the majority of whom do not agree with me in political sentiment, 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 shipwreck now, there will be no pilot needed for another voyage.”

On arriving at Philadelphia, the words of welcome and response were again uttered; and the next morning Mr. Lincoln visited the old "Independence Hall” for the purpose of raising the national flag over it. Here he was warmly welcomed, and spoke as follows:

"I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing here in this place, where were collected the wisdom, the patriotism, 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 this confederacy so long together. It was not the mere matter of the 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 the shoulders of all men. This is a sentiment embodied in the Declaration of Independ ence. Now, my friends, can this country be saved upon this basis? If it can, I will consider myself one of the happiest men in the world if I can help to save it. If it cannot be saved upon that principle, it will be truly awful. But if this country cannot be saved without giving up that principle, I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on this spot than surrender it. Now, in my view of the present aspect of affairs, there need be no bloodshed or war. There is no necessity for it. I am not in favor of such a course; and I may

say, in advance, that there will be no blood shed unless it be forced upon the Government, and then it will be forced to act in self-defence.

'My friends, this is wholly an unexpected speech, and I did not expect to be called upon to say a word when I came here. I supposed it was merely to do something towards raising the flag. I may, therefore, have said something indiscreet. I have said nothing but what I am willing to live by, and, if it be the pleasure of Almighty God, to die by."

The party then proceeded to a platform in front of the State House; and there Mr. Lincoln made a brief speech, stating his willingness to comply with the ro quest to raise the flag, and alluded to the original flag of thirteen stars, saying that "the number had increased as time rolled on, and each star added to the prosperity of the nation.

"The future," he added, "is in the hands of the people. It is on such an occasion as this that we can reason together, and re-affirm our devotion to the country and the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Let us make up our minds, that, when we do put a new star upon our banner, it shall be a fixed one, never to be dimmed by the horrors of war, but brightened by the contentment and prosperity of peace. Let us go on to extend the area of our usefulness, add star upon star, until their light shall shine upon five hundred millions of a free and happy people." Mr. Lincoln then raised the flag to the top of the staff.

Shortly after, he and his party left for Harrisburg. Here he addressed the Legislature; and, referring to the morning's experience, said, "Our friends there had provided a magnificent flag of the country. They had arranged it so that I was given the honor of raising it

to the head of its staff; and, when it went up, I was pleased that it went to its place by the strength of my own feeble arm. When, according to the arrangement, the cord was pulled, and it flaunted gloriously to the wind without an accident in the bright glowing sunshine of the morning, I could not help hoping that there was, in the entire success of that beautiful ceremony, at least something of an omen of what is to come; nor could I help feeling then, as I often have felt, in the whole of that proceeding, I was a very humble instrument. I had not provided the flag; I had not made arrangements for elevating it to its place; I had applied but a very small portion of my feeble strength in raising it. In the whole transaction, I was in the hands of the people who had arranged it; and, if I can have the same generous co-operation of the people of the nation, I think the flag of our country may be kept flaunting gloriously!"

Those who lived to see the events of the four years in which President Lincoln guided the nation to victory and freedom can recognize the omen of which he spoke, as gloriously fulfilled.

He did not speak again in public till he reached Washington. At Philadelphia, information was communicated to him of a plot which was on foot to assassinate him in Baltimore. The existence of such a plot had been suspected before. Threats had been freely made by the more fanatical Southern men that he would never reach Washington alive. An attempt was made to throw from the track the car in which he was riding on his journey through Ohio; and, just as he was leaving Cincinnati, a hand-grenade was found to have been secreted on board the cars. Investigations were set on foot which revealed the fact that a small gang of assassins, under the leadership of an Italian, who assumed the name of Orsini, had

undertaken to do the work of the slaveholders by murdering Mr. Lincoln as he passed through Baltimore.

"The only precaution which he took against this attack was to leave Harrisburg one train earlier than had been expected. He thus passed through Baltimore in the night, and arrived in Washington on the morning of Saturday, the 23d of February, where his safe arrival was greeted with joy by his friends, and ill-concealed disappointment by his enemies. The threats against his life were continued; and but for the watchfulness and determination of his friends, and the care and military preparations of Gen. Scott, it is quite probable that his inauguration would never have taken place."*

A correspondent of the "New-York Herald" thus narrates the occurrences of the memorable day:

"On the day of his arrival in Washington he dined with Mr. Seward, called on the President; and at ten minutes before nine, P.M., he returned to his hotel, and was received by an enthusiastic crowd, who greeted him as though he was their father and their life. Some were old men, and some were old and young ladies. They reflected the general feeling, that in Mr. Lincoln rests the future hope of the Government and the Union.

"Mr. Lincoln passed through the long parlor-hall, thronged with the élite and fashion of the national metropolis, shaking hands as fast as he could on his right and left with the ladies and gentlemen, so intensely interested, that he forgot even to take his hat off, which was excused by a looker-on, who remarked that it was new, and outshined the crowd.

"At nine o'clock, according to previous arrangement, Mr. Lincoln received the Peace Congress. The members.

* Henry J. Raymond's "Life of Lincoln."