GDG- Road to White House - Aug 8, 1860
Dennis Lawrence
denlaw at kc.rr.com
Tue Aug 8 10:11:23 CDT 2006
Illinois Republicans hold immense rally to celebrate Lincoln's nomination.
Thousands attend. Giant morning procession passes Lincoln residence; he
reviews it from his doorway. In afternoon there is speaking from five
stands at fair grounds. Lincoln appears, declines to make speech, and
escapes on horseback. More speeches are made in evening at Wigwam and state
house.
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Remarks at a Republican Rally, Springfield, Illinois [1]
August 8, 1860
My Fellow Citizens:---I appear among you upon this occasion with no
intention of making a speech.
It has been my purpose, since I have been placed in my present position, to
make no speeches. This assemblage having been drawn together at the place
of my residence, it appeared to be the wish of those constituting this vast
assembly to see me; and it is certainly my wish to see all of you. I appear
upon the ground here at this time only for the purpose of affording myself
the best opportunity of seeing you, and enabling you to see me.
I confess with gratitude, be it understood, that I did not suppose my
appearance among you would create the tumult which I now witness. I am
profoundly gratified for this manifestation of your feelings. I am
gratified, because it is a tribute such as can be paid to no man as a man.
It is the evidence that four years from this time you will give a like
manifestation to the next man who is the representative of the truth on the
questions that now agitate the public. And it is because you will then
fight for this cause as you do now, or with even greater ardor than now,
though I be dead and gone. I most profoundly and sincerely thank you.
Having said this much, allow me now to say that it is my wish that you will
hear this public discussion by others of our friends who are present for
the purpose of addressing you, and that you will kindly let me be silent.
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