Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-04-19
DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.


Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States
No event of modern times will so s.artlc tho world
Twice before has this nation been saddened and
aroused by the sudden death of its Chief Executive
General Harrison died in 1871, and General Taylor
in 1850; but both died in times Of peace and both
died NATURAL deaths. President Lincoln died in the
midst of the closing scenes Of the most gigantic wal
Of the world, and by the hands Of an assassin. Both
the time and the manner of his death lend intense
interest to its importance The Old as well as the
New World will be shocked. Our land will be
draped in mourning and gloom.
Richmond had just fallen. General Lee and his
army had just surrendered The Nation was re-
iocing in its triumphs. The coming dawn Of peace
was casting its rays Of light across the horizon.
Four years since the national flag was dishonorod
and hauled down at Fort SUMTER had rolled away
amid storms and darkness and on the fourth an
niversary that same flag hnd sgsn been hosted over
that fort by the same hand that 50 heroically de
Tended ii against traitors. The Nation was mad
with Joy. That night the President was assassinated
in the presence of hundreds in the Nations Capital
On the morning of the 18th he ended his earthly
career He died on the fourth anniversary of hi:
call for seventy-fve thousand mon TO defend tho
Capital and the Nation. His work was well nigh
completed. We, in common with all his loyal coun-
trymen, had hoped to see him live to enjoy in peace
the fruits of his patriotic labor and that he might
behold reunited people, and Union consolidated
wise. He fell a victim, 70 a '-oi'~-'-
the land is filled with mourning
One of the most painful circumstances attending
the death Of Mr. Lincoln is that it seems to betray
deep and startling political plot About the same
hour that he was shot at the theatre an assassin
entered the sick-room of Mr. Seward, and inflicted
three dangerous If not mortal wounds, on the neck
Of the latter with dagger There is reason for sus
pecting that General Grant was to have been assas
sinated the same night but fortunately for him and
the country he had that evening suddenly taken th
cars for New jersey
We hear whispers that the plot originated in|
Richmond, and that letters have been found which,
prove this. We know too little yet to say who thc|
wicked consprators are or how wide the ramifca-|
,ions of the plot One thing we do know, that as
sassinaton murder, and all other crimes are but the
Legitimate results and fruits of this terribly wicked
rebellion. The assassination of the President has
often been discussed in the South, and never with
disapprobation Within the last twelve or eighteen
months man in Alabama openly, and in the pub
lie prints proposed to have him. and probably other
high funetionares OF the Government asssssinated,
for certain sum of money. There are tens 81
thousands in the South who have had the heart and
the will to do the foul deed There are many traitors
in the North, who have received the favors Of the
Government, who also had the same evil spirit IL
History will look in vain for such causeles, rebel
lion, and yet one in which the actots were animated
by such bitter and marderous passions. That spirt|
still moves them Like the lost Angel, who waged
war with Heaven, they can exclam
"wha, though the field be lostf
All is not lost; the unconqurabie will.
And study Of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never TO submit or yield"
We believe that history will pronounce Mr. Lin
coin to have been an eminently honest and mercifu
man. No expression of harshness, or of personal
ill-feelng. be found in all hie v1lumnous pub
lie writings. How marked the contra., with TIM
writings of Mr.. Davis or oven Of General Lee The
messages of Davis abounded in falsehoods and ma
lignant ISLANDERS. II is true Mr.. Lincoln sometimes
exercised powers that in times peace, would have
been of doubtful constitutionality. But he did 80
on all occasions 10 preserse the Government and no,
TO destrog it. wejustfy him in nearly all he did
There was nothing Of the tyrant or usurper abou,
him. As man and as ruler he was oonoro,s
merciful, Conscientious, and forgving, almost ia a
fault II is reported that he had already preparel
a proclamation offering pardon and amnesty to All
rebels Whether the rebels will have cause o. reoc
over or mourn his untimcly end will be seen in the
future We are greatly mistaken in the character Of
his successor il they do not have occasion 10 call on
the mountains and the rocks 10 hide them from hi.
wrath. The sad end Of Mr. Lincoln, a. the yery
moment when nearly all men were inclining %
mercy and forgiveness, viii arouse afresh storm
Ipirit of indignation, and call up the endless LIST
If wrongs inflicted on an outraged country.