seen Weems’s Life of Washington.  I remember all the accounts there given of the battle-fields and struggles for the liberties of the country; and none fixed themselves upon my imagination so deeply as the struggle here at Trenton, New Jersey.  The crossing of the river, the contest with the Hessians, the great hardships endured at that time, all fixed themselves on my memory more than any single Revolutionary event; and you all know, for you have all been boys, how these early impressions last longer than any others.  I recollect thinking then, boy even though I was, that there must have been something more than common that these men struggled for.  I am exceedingly anxious that that thing that something even more than national independence, that something that held out a great promise to all the people of the world to all time to come—­I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that struggle was made; and I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be a humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this his almost chosen people, for perpetuating the object of that great struggle.  You give me this reception, as I understand, without distinction of party.  I learn that this body is composed of a majority of gentlemen who, in the exercise of their best judgment in the choice of a chief magistrate, did not think I was the man.  I understand, nevertheless, that they come forward here to greet me as the constitutionally elected President of the United States—­as citizens of the United States to meet the man who, for the time being, is the representative of the majesty of the nation—­united by the single purpose to perpetuate the Constitution, the union, and the liberties of the people.  As such, I accept this reception more gratefully than I could do did I believe it were tendered to me as an individual.

ADDRESS TO THE ASSEMBLY OF NEW JERSEY,

FEBRUARY 21, 1861

Mr. Speaker and gentlemen:  I have just enjoyed the honor of a reception by the other branch of this Legislature, and I return to you and them my thanks for the reception which the people of New Jersey have given through their chosen representatives to me as the representative, for the time being, of the majesty of the people of the United States.  I appropriate to myself very little of the demonstrations of respect with which I have been greeted.  I think little should be given to any man, but that it should be a manifestation of adherence to the Union and the Constitution.  I understand myself to be received here by the representatives of the people of New Jersey, a majority of whom differ in opinion from those with whom I have acted.  This manifestation is therefore to be regarded by me as expressing their devotion to the Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people.