You, Mr. Speaker, have well said that this is a 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 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 shall take it, I hope, in good temper, certainly with no malice toward, 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 down firmly.  And if I do my duty and do right, you will sustain me, will you not? [Loud cheers, and cries of “Yes, yes; we will.”] Received as I am by the members of a Legislature the majority of whom do not agree with me in political sentiments, 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 wreck now, there will be no pilot ever needed for another voyage.

Gentlemen, I have already spoken longer than I intended, and must beg leave to stop here.

REPLY TO THE MAYOR OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA,

FEBRUARY 21, 1861

Mr. Mayor and fellow-citizens of Philadelphia:—­I appear before you to make no lengthy speech, but to thank you for this reception.  The reception you have given me to-night is not to me, the man, the individual, but to the man who temporarily represents, or should represent, the majesty of the nation.  It is true, as your worthy mayor has said, that there is great anxiety amongst the citizens of the United States at this time.  I deem it a happy circumstance that this dissatisfied portion of our fellow-citizens does not point us to anything in which they are being injured or about to be injured; for which reason I have felt all the while justified in concluding that the crisis, the panic, the anxiety of the country at this time is artificial.  If there be those who differ with me upon this subject, they have not pointed out the substantial difficulty that exists.  I do not mean to say that an artificial panic may not do considerable harm; that it has done such I do not deny.  The hope that has been expressed by your mayor, that I may be able to restore peace, harmony, and prosperity to the country, is most worthy of him; and most happy, indeed, will I be if I shall be able to verify and fulfil that hope.  I promise you that I bring to