The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

STATE PAPERS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

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hundred thousand votes-a larger majority than was ever
received by any other President.
The feeling which was uppermost in the President's
heart at the result of the election was joy ov Ir its effects
upon the cause. He expressed this sentiment in some remarks which he made, when serenaded by a club of Pennsylvanians, at a late hour on the night of the election. His
speech was as follows:FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS:-Even before I had been informed by
you that this compliment was paid to me by-loyal citizens of Pennsylvania, friendly to me, I had inferred that you were th.at portion of my
countrymen who think that the best interests of the nation are to be subserved by the support of the present Administration. I do not pretend
to say that you who think so embrace all the patriotism and loyalty of
the country. But I do believe, and I trust withut personal interest,
that the welfare of the country does require that such support and indorsement be given. I earnestly believe that the consequence of this
day's work, if it be as you assure me, and 'at now seeins probable, will be
to the lasting advantage,, if not to the very.salvation of the country. I
cannot at this hour say what has been the result of the election; but whatever it may have been, I have no desire to modify this opinion, that all
who have labored to-day in behalf of the Union or:lanizatio,1 havetwrought for the best interests of their country and the world, not only
for the present, but for all future ages. I am thankful to God for this
approval of the people. But, while deeply grateful for this mark of their
confidence in me, if I know mny heart, my gratitude is free from any taint
of personal triumph. I do not impugn the motives of any one opposed to
me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph over any one, but I give tllnks
to the Almighty for this evidence of the people's resolution to stand by
free government and the rights of humanity.
The telegraph brought certain news of the result within a few hours. On the night of November 10th, the
various Lincoln and Johnson Clubs of the District went
to the White House to serenade the President, to whom
he spoke as follows:
It has long been a grave question whether any Government, not too
strong for the liberties of its people, can be strong enough to maintain its
existence in great emergencies. On this point the present rebellion
brought our Government to a severe test, and a Presidential election
occurring in a regular course during the rebellion, added not a little to the
train,