On the 22nd of February, 1861, Washington's birthday, on his journey
to Washington, to assume the Presidency, Mr. Lincoln raised a new flag
over Independence Hall, then went inside and spoke as follows:--
"I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing in this
place, where were collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the
devotion to principle from which sprang the institutions under which
we live. You have kindly suggested to me that in my hands is the task
of restoring peace to our distracted country. I can say in return,
sirs, that all the political sentiments I entertain have been drawn,
so far as I have been able to draw them, from the sentiments which
originated in and were given to the world from this hall. I have never
had a feeling, politically, that did not spring from the sentiments
embodied in the Declaration of Independence. I have often pondered
over the dangers which were incurred by the men who assembled here and
framed and adopted that Declaration. I have pondered over the toils
that were endured by the officers and soldiers of the army who
achieved that independence. I have often inquired of myself what great
principle or idea it was that kept this Confederacy so long together.
It was not the mere matter of separation of the colonies from the
motherland, but that sentiment in the Declaration of Independence
which gave liberty, not alone to the people of this country, but hope
to all the world, for all future time. It was that which gave promise
that in due time the weight would be lifted from the shoulders of all
men and that all should have an equal chance. This is the sentiment
embodied in the Declaration of Independence.
"Now, my friends, can this country be saved on that basis? If it can,
I will consider myself one of the happiest men in the world if I can
help to save it. But if this country cannot be saved without giving up
that principle, I was about to say I would rather be assassinated on
this spot than surrender it."
Four years and two months later, April 22, 1865, his body lay,
assassinated, on the very spot where he had made the above remarks,
then being taken to Springfield, Illinois, for burial.
[Illustration: INDEPENDENCE HALL, PHILADELPHIA]
Henry Wilson Clendenin, born at Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, August 1,
1837; educated in private schools and by tutors. Married Mary E. Morey
of Monmouth, Illinois, October 23, 1877; to them were born five
children, four of whom survive: George M., manager _Illinois State
Register_; Clarence R., Deputy Internal Revenue Collector,
Springfield, Illinois; Harry F., proofreader, _Illinois State
Register_, and Marie, Assistant Instructor Physical Education, State
Normal University, Normal, Illinois. He was a private of Company I,
Twentieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War. Began
newspaper work on _Burlington_ (Iowa) _Hawkeye_. Afterwards telegraph
editor _Peoria Transcript_, 1858; telegraph editor _Burlington
Gazette_, 1863, and editor and proprietor, _Keokuk Daily
Constitution_, 1876-1881; since that year was editor and president of
the _Illinois State Register_. Postmaster, Springfield 1886-90. Member
Illinois State Historical Society, The Jefferson Association, Grand
Army of the Republic and Sons of the American Revolution. Director of
Lincoln Library at Springfield, Illinois, for ten years. Member of the
First Congregational Church of that city.
This sonnet was written by Mr. Clendenin, in Philadelphia, February
22, 1861, after witnessing Lincoln hoist the flag over Independence
Hall.