The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-04-28
Letter from Boston.

BOsTON, April ~, 1860.
FRIEND STONE Recent events of Il
startling character have so occupied the
public mind, that the dull routine of COM
mon life, as it appears to us, is hardly
worthy the attention of even humble
correspondent and yet so important are
the social affairs of society that they real
Iy underlie the whole fabric of political
and religious organizations. The people,
and particularly the families Of this coun-
try. are the bone and muscle which give
strength and character to all these ques-
tiOnS.
The last number of The Calsdoluan
comes clothed with the drapery Of mourn
ing, and its columns filled with the details
of the bloody tragedy which has just been
enacted; and nothing but few some
what desultory remarks need be added in
the way of correspondence. Sad as it
seems, it may after all, be the most fitting
way in which treason should show its vii
famous tendency, and thati one of its own
men should do its worst" No hired as
sassin. who might claim that he needed
pay for his work, performed the dastardly
act, but Il man with an income of over
twenty thousand dollars Il year-one of
the chivalry themselves, really Il Richmond
man, must do the work The Boston
theatre has an inscription with an allu>ion
to the murdered PrcSi,lent-that Ibis viz
tues will plead like angels, trumpet
tongucd, against the deep damnation OF his
taking off: No man could have done 50
much for the South lis Mr.. Lincoln. who
was no tyrant. but the friend of mankind
The sabbath after the murder the Clergy
of the city did not fail to lift up their
voices against the foul deed. At Mr.
Webb'S church, where was an audience OF
nearly two thousand persons. when the
speaker quoted the language OF President
Johnson. in the Senate. when the horde
of traitors were about taking leave for the
purpose of making war-''IIad | the pow
er. would have you arrested as traitors,
tried as traitors, and hanged rs traitors"
there was movement OF applause, so
profound, SO appropriate, that no one
would desire to see the feeling checked. 1t
seemed like an upheaval of the very toun-
dation of the deepest feelings and senti-
ments of the human heart
A similar demonstration took place on
Saturday at the fremont temple AT the
meeting on the common many incidents
were related showing the sincere honesty
and goodness of the late President MIR.
Rice said that at the close of the session,
when the throng was the greatest, he had
some business like the others. which he
expected would take him all day to trans
act. While writing he saw little boy.
some twelve or fourteen years old, who
was afraid he might fail in presenting his
case among SO many others. He kept his
eye upon him, and when the boy found
an opportunity he handed Mr.. Lincoln a
note, adding few words in modest way.
The President regretted his inability to dc
anything. but finally asked him ''what he
could do for him" The boy said hi.
mother thought he might get place a.
page or messenger in some of the depart
ments. Mr.. Lincoln took the note which
he had just read, turned it over, wrote
something to which he signed his name.
and the lad went on his way rejoicing.
"Now," said Mr. Rice. Il should rath-
er have that letter if in that boys place
than many of the established houses in
Boston"
The day set apart was strictly observed
in this city. All the places of business
were closed, and most of them draped in
a tasteful and appropriate Manner
Among these perhaps the store of ouI
friends Pierce Brothers 4 Co. stood in the
foremost rank; and noticed the junior
partner in the procession. 1t is no slight
compliment to your literary institution, to
have the name of a gentleman so well
known, and filling his place among bust
ness circles SO well, upon its catalogue,
and records. This reminds me that it i.
gratifying to observe that the claims OF
these facilities for the requirement of use.
full knowledge to the confidence and pat.
ronage of the public remains undated.
Among the names of those standing al
the bedside of our lamcnted President, in
his dying moments, l notice that of Col
Rufus F. Andrews, who is a Vermonter.
and was the secretary of the late Gov.
Williams of your State. H..