Friday, February 15, 1861.Pittsburgh,
PA and Cleveland, OH. | At 8:30 A.M.
Lincoln appears on balcony of Monongahela House, and delivers longest address
of journey. Multitude of 5,000 stands in rain in front of hotel. Mayor George
Wilson introduces Lincoln, who repeats remarks made in Columbus, Ohio then
comments on tariff: "So long as direct taxation for the support of government
is not resorted to, a tariff is necessary. . . . I have long thought that if
there be any article of necessity which can be produced at home with as little
or nearly the same labor as abroad, it would be better to protect that article.
Labor is the true standard of value. . . . According to my political education,
I am inclined to believe that the people in the various sections of the country
should have their own views carried out through their representatives in
Congress, . . . so that . . . adequate protection can be extended to the coal
and iron of Pennsylvania, the corn of Illinois, and the 'reapers of Chicago.' "
Lincoln visits Leonard Swett, elector-at-large from Illinois, who has been
detained at hotel several weeks by sickness. Cincinnati Commercial, 16
February 1861;
Speech
at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15 February 1861,
CW, 4:210-15. Leaves
immediately for depot through streets lined with people. Villard,
Eve of '61, 85-87.
Kisses little boy and three lasses while waiting in crowd at depot, part of
time in rain. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861.
Train departs 10 A.M. and retraces journey through Rochester, Pa., to
Wellsville, Ohio. Lincoln tells assemblage at Wellsville that he will not
speak, because he did so day before. At Salineville and Bayard, Ohio, responds
to cheering crowds by saluting and bowing. Cincinnati Commercial, 16
February 1861. At Alliance, Ohio, he offers remarks that now
have become routine: "I appear before you merely to greet you and say farewell.
. . . If I should make a speech at every town, I would not get to Washington
until some time after the inauguration." Remarks
at Alliance, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:215. Accepts hospitality
of John N. McCullough, president of railroad, and has dinner at Sourbeck's
Hotel. Company of Canton Zouaves stands guard, band plays national airs, and
gun salute shatters window during meal, sprinkling glass on
Mrs. Lincoln. From temporary stand in front of
depot, Lincoln thanks citizens for rousing reception and excuses himself from
speaking. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861. At
Hudson, Ohio, crowd engulfs train. Lincoln steps out on train platform and
remarks: "You see by my voice that I am quite hoarse. You will not, therefore,
expect a speech from me." Remarks
at Hudson, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:217-18. At Ravenna, Ohio,
says: "There are doubtless those here who did not vote for me, but I believe we
make common cause for the Union." Remarks
at Ravenna, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:217. Lincoln, less
talkative during day, sits in rear car reading newspapers and reflecting.
Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861. Accepts
invitation of Select and Common Councils of Philadelphia to visit city and sets
21st as date. Abraham
Lincoln to William P. Hacker and Others, 15 February 1861,
CW, 4:216. Arrives at
Cleveland in snow storm. Nicolay to Bates, 17 February 1861, John G.
Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Detrains
two miles from center of city. "Deafening shout from tens of thousands was
re-echoed by roar of artillery." Enters open carriage at approximately 4:30
P.M. Escort of military (Cleveland Grays) and fire companies joins procession
to Weddell House. Acting Mayor J. N. Masters and Judge Sherlock J. Andrews
welcome him. Lincoln replies: "I think that there is no occasion for any
excitement. The crisis, as it is called, is altogether an artificial crisis."
Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861;
Speech
at Cleveland, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:215-16. Attends brilliant
reception in his honor given in evening. Separate levee held for
Mrs. Lincoln. At 10 P.M. Lincoln and suite are
guests at supper in Weddell House, where they have lodgings. Cincinnati
Commercial, 16 February 1861. [Another version of temporary
loss of First Inaugural Address has it occurring in Cleveland, where it is
mislaid by Robert Lincoln. Col. James T. Sterling, "How Lincoln 'Lost'
His Inaugural Address," Lincoln Herald 45 (February
1944):23-25. See also February 11, 1861.] [Irwin withdraws
$39.59 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 176.] |