Speech at Union League Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania1Jump to section
I thank you, sir, for your kind words of welcome. I am happy at the opportunity of visiting the Union League of Philadelphia, the first, I believe, of the Union Leagues---an organization free from political prejudices, and prompted in its formation by motives of the highest patriotism. I have many a time heard of its doing great good, and no one has charged it with doing any wrong. But it is not my intention to make a speech. My object in visiting Philadelphia was exclusively to witness the Sanitary Fair, and I need scarcely say that I have been more than delighted in witnessing the extraordinary efforts of your patriotic men and lovely ladies in behalf of the suffering soldiers and sailors of our country. It will now afford me pleasure to take each of you by the hand.
Annotation
[1] Philadelphia Press, June 17, 1864. Because of confusion in plans, Lincoln missed the committee of the Union League assigned to conduct him from the Fair to their club, and upon arriving without them was greeted with a brief speech by Daniel Dougherty, to which he replied with the above remarks.