Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-17
PROCLAMATION.
MAYORS OFFICE,


An overwhelming calamity having be-
fallen this nation in the assassination of its
President and Secretary of State, it is here
by requested that ell places of business be
immediately closed for the day; that ep-
propriate symbols of mourning be display ed
from all buildings, and that the citizens
meet in the Public Square this afternoon,
at three o'clock, to express in some proper
public way, their sfiliction in the loss of
the Head of the nation, and its Premier,
Secretary Seward.
GEORGE B. SENTER, Mayor.
This proclamation seemed TO recall peo-
pie to consciousness and where a thou
sand flags and other symbols Of joy were,
on Monday and Friday last, given to the
breeze, a thousand emblems of SORROW and
mourning were now put forth as the ftteIt
and best expression of the emotions, TOO
deep for utterance otherwise, which swell
ed in every breast.
TIE CITY DRAPED IN MOURNING.
In the description of the draping thecity,
it is hard TO psrticularize, for it was almost
universal. Places public and private-public
buildings, stores, offices, shops, dwelling
houses, hotels, and shipping, were covered
with the drapery of mourning. Water
street which, on Monday, seemed like a
garden Of May flowers, was sombre as a
grove of cypress on Saturday and Sunday.
On many of its buildings the weeds of a
nations sorrow, swung down in funereal
Wreaths and festoons from roof to street g
hundred feet below. The buildings on
Bank street were most tastefully arrsyed,
and the rooms of the Soldiers Aid Society
were, perhaps, in point of display and taste,
the marvel of the city. The principal
stores on Superior street declared in beau
dful symbols the national grief. The Perry
monument on the Park was craped, and
the hsgs which appeared everywhere, from
the windows of public and private houses,
were edged with black, and spoke with
most effect the sentiment which filed the
heart and silsnced the tonguss
BUSINESS SUSPENDED.
People had no heart for business, and &C
cOrdingly all places of the same were
closed. The workmen in the Cleveland and
Pittsburgh Railroad shops quit work, and
went in body to other shops in the neigh
borhOod, to suggest the same action to their
brethren. They assembled in Clinton Park
where they organized by appointing Rev.
Mr.. Prosser Chairman, and Messrs. s. 8.
Holden, John Stursnickle and Charles Cox,
Marshals, and then marched in procession
to the Public Square. They were then ad :
dressed by several gentlemen, Messrs.
Prosser, Oakley and others, and unsni-
mously adopted resolutions expressing the
deep sense of loss felt by the working men,
in the death of their wsrmest friend.
THIRST FOR NEWS.
The intelligence Of the morning was such
that the people were intensely eager 70 hear
more. The public heart was insatiate.
The smallest detail was sought for with the
greatest avidity. The bulletin board OF
the LEADER was densely surrounded all day
by groups of the most anxious faces we
have ever seen. Edition after edition Of
the LEADER was stricken of IS the dis
patches came in during the day.
ACTION OF THE BOARD OF TRADE.
The Board of Trade met as usual on Sat-
I urday, but on the reading and adoption Of
the following resolutions, Immediately ad-
journed:
RESOLUTIONS OF BOARD OF TRADE.
Bs,oiped, That words are inadequate to expr.s.
Il the feslipgs Of this B5ard at the mournfu n-ws
that We have received this day, in the DEATH by
ssssnation of our beloved and respected President,
Il Abraham Lincoln and Secretary Of State, William
Il q. Eeward; ana that out Of sympathy and respect
for the deceased, we do now adjourn TO attend the
p1blic meeting to be held in the Public Square, 81
Il ihree O'Clock this Afternoon.
Il Resolred That the drapery Of mourning now eX-
hibtea in this Hall, b retained for thirty days a.
Resolrsd, Th1t she above resolutions be entered
upon the records and publish in the city papers
TIE HEAVENS WEEP.
Long before noon the rain began to fall
plentifully, but this did not dampen the
eagsrness of the people to hear all that
might be learned concerning the great
crime and calamity of the hour. Nature
seemed to sympa,hize with man in the
great affiiction, and the sky wept through
the long, dumb hours. A band stationed
on the Public Square, from time to time
played dirges which deepensd the gloom
of the day, and saddsned all the more the
hearts already torn and bleeding.
FHE PUBLIC MEETING.
AT length the appointed hour arrived,
and the anxious crowds who had been