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mean to recognize and bear in mind always that you have as good
hearts in your bosoms as other people； or as we claim to have； and
treat you accordingly。〃
Fellow…citizens of Kentuckyfriends and brethren； may I call you in
my new position？I see no occasion and feel no inclination to
retract a word of this。 If it shall not be made good； be assured the
fault shall not be mine。
ADDRESS TO THE GERMAN CLUB OF CINCINNATI； OHIO；
FEBRUARY 12； 1861
Mr。 CHAIRMAN：I thank you and those whom you represent for the
compliment you have paid me by tendering me this address。 In so far
as there is an allusion to our present national difficulties； which
expresses； as you have said； the views of the gentlemen present； I
shall have to beg pardon for not entering fully upon the questions
which the address you have now read suggests。
I deem it my dutya duty which I owe to my constituentsto you；
gentlemen； that I should wait until the last moment for a development
of the present national difficulties before I express myself
decidedly as to what course I shall pursue。 I hope； then； not to be
false to anything that you have expected of me。
I agree with you； Mr。 Chairman； that the working men are the basis of
all governments； for the plain reason that they are all the more
numerous； and as you added that those were the sentiments of the
gentlemen present； representing not only the working class； but
citizens of other callings than those of the mechanic； I am happy to
concur with you in these sentiments； not only of the native…born
citizens； but also of the Germans and foreigners from other
countries。
Mr。 Chairman； I hold that while man exists it is his duty to improve
not only his own condition； but to assist in ameliorating the
condition of mankind； and therefore； without entering upon the
details of the question； I will simply say that I am for those means
which will give the greatest good to the greatest number。
In regard to the Homestead law； I have to say that； in so far as the
government lands can be disposed of； I am in favor of cutting up the
wild lands into parcels； so that every poor man may have a home。
In regard to the Germans and foreigners； I esteem them no better than
other people； nor any worse。 It is not my nature； when I see a
people borne down by the weight of their shacklesthe oppression of
tyrannyto make their life more bitter by heaping upon them greater
burdens； but rather would I do all in my power to raise the yoke than
to add anything that would tend to crush them。
Inasmuch as our own country is extensive and new； and the countries
of Europe are densely populated； if there are any abroad who desire
to make this the land of their adoption； it is not in my heart to
throw aught in their way to prevent them from coming to the United
States。
Mr。 Chairman and gentlemen； I will bid you an affectionate farewell。
ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF OHIO AT COLUMBUS
FEBRUARY 13； 1861
Mr。 PRESIDENT AND Mr。 SPEAKER； AND GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF OHIO：It is true； as has been said by the president of the
Senate； that very great responsibility rests upon me in the position
to which the votes of the American people have called me。 I am
deeply sensible of that weighty responsibility。 I cannot but know
what you all know； that without a name； perhaps without a reason why
I should have a name； there has fallen upon me a task such as did not
rest even upon the Father of his Country； and so feeling； I can turn
and look for that support without which it will be impossible for me
to perform that great task。 I turn； then； and look to the American
people and to that God who has never forsaken them。 Allusion has
been made to the interest felt in relation to the policy of the new
administration。 In this I have received from some a degree of credit
for having kept silence； and from others some deprecation。 I still
think that I was right。
In the varying and repeatedly shifting scenes of the present； and
without a precedent which could enable me to judge by the past； it
has seemed fitting that before speaking upon the difficulties of the
country I should have gained a view of the whole field； being at
liberty to modify and change the course of policy as future events
may make a change necessary。
I have not maintained silence from any want of real anxiety。 It is a
good thing that there is no more than anxiety； for there is nothing
going wrong。 It is a consoling circumstance that when we look out
there is nothing that really hurts anybody。 We entertain different
views upon political questions； but nobody is suffering anything。
This is a most consoling circumstance； and from it we may conclude
that all we want is time； patience； and a reliance on that God who
has never forsaken this people。
Fellow…citizens； what I have said I have said altogether
extemporaneously； and I will now come to a close。
ADDRESS AT STEUBENVILLE； OHIO；
FEBRUARY 14； 1861
I fear that the great confidence placed in my ability is unfounded。
Indeed； I am sure it is。 Encompassed by vast difficulties as I am；
nothing shall be wanting on my part； if sustained by God and the
American people。 I believe the devotion to the Constitution is
equally great on both sides of the river。 It is only the different
understanding of that instrument that causes difficulty。 The only
dispute on both sides is； 'What are their rights？〃 If the majority
should not rule； who would be the judge？ Where is such a judge to be
found？ We should all be bound by the majority of the American people；
if not； then the minority must control。 Would that be right？ Would
it be just or generous？ Assuredly not。 I reiterate that the majority
should rule。 If I adopt a wrong policy； the opportunity for
condemnation will occur in four years' time。 Then I can be turned
out； and a better man with better views put in my place。
ADDRESS AT PITTSBURGH； PENNSYLVANIA
FEBRUARY 15； 1861
I most cordially thank his Honor Mayor Wilson； and the citizens of
Pittsburg generally； for their flattering reception。 I am the more
grateful because I know that it is not given to me alone； but to the
cause I represent； which clearly proves to me their good…will； and
that sincere feeling is at the bottom of it。 And here I may remark
that in every short address I have made to the people； in every crowd
through which I have passed of late； some allusion has been made to
the present distracted condition of the country。 It is natural to
expect that I should say something on this subject； but to touch upon
it at all would involve an elaborate discussion of a great many
questions and circumstances； requiring more time than I can at
present command； and would； perhaps； unnecessarily commit me upon
matters which have not yet fully developed themselves。 The condition
of the country is an extraordinary one； and fills the mind of every
patriot with anxiety。 It is my intention to give this subject all
the consideration I possibly can before specially deciding in regard
to it； so that when I do speak it may be as nearly right as possible。
When I do speak I hope I may say nothing in opposition to the spirit
of the Constitution； contrary to the integrity of the Union； or which
will prove inimical to the liberties of the people； or to the peace
of the whole country。 And furthermore； when the time arrives for me
to speak on this great subject； I hope I may say nothing to
disappoint the people generally throughout the country； especially if
the expectation has been based upon anything which I may have
heretofore said。 Notwithstanding the troubles across the river ＇the
speaker pointing southwardly across the Monongahela； and smiling＇；
there is no crisis but an artificial one。 What is there now to
warrant the condition of affairs presented by our friends over the
river？ Take even their own view of the questions involved； and there
is nothing to justify the course they are pursuing。 I repeat； then；
there is no crisis； excepting such a one as may be gotten up at any
time by turbulent men aided by designing politicians； My advice to
them； under such circumstances； is to keep cool。 If the great
American people only keep their temper on both sides of the line； the
troubles will come to an end； and the question which now distracts
the country will be settled； just as surely as all other difficulties
of a like character which have originated in this government have
been adjusted。 Let the people on both sides keep their
self…possession； and just as other clouds have cleared away in due
time； so will this great nation continue to prosper as heretofore。
But； fellow…citizens； I have spoken longer on this subject than I
intended at the outset。
It is often said that the tariff is the specialty of Pennsylvania。
Assumi