His Springfield Farewell Address
:
SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY
:
Good Stories For Great Holidays
It was on the morning of February 11, 1861, that the President-elect,
together with his family and a small party of friends, bade adieu to the
city of Springfield, which, alas! he was never to see again.
A large throng of Springfield citizens assembled at the railway station
to see the departure, and before the train left Mr. Lincoln addressed
them in the following words:--
"MY FRIENDS: No o
e, not in my position, can appreciate the sadness I
feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have
lived more than a quarter of a century; here my children were born, and
here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you again.
A duty devolves upon me which is, perhaps, greater than that which has
devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would
have succeeded except by the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at
all times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine
aid which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my
reliance for support; and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I
may receive that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed,
but with which success is certain. Again I bid you an affectionate
farewell."