The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-04-22

,ribute to one so honored and beloved.
When the dreadful tidings came to us upon
Saturday morning, the first common impulse
was that of indignant evaporation and ven
geance against the fiendish authors of all our
woes but later, when the bells began to toll.
and the flags to be placed at half mast, telling
that our Chief Magistrate was indeed dead,
rage and indignation sunk down into heart
broken grief, and strong men sat down and
wept like helpless, fatherless children. Even
those who were never known to speak word
OF communication or kindness OF the Presi-
dent, but were continually finding fault with
all his acts, grieved like the orphan children OF
a tender and abused parent. All places of
business were Immediately closed and draped
iu emblems of mourning
Upon the Sabbath every church was throng-
ed with stricken mourners, seeking comfort
at the Throne Of Grace.
1t is noscommon blow, like the clouding
OF our national prospects-it is personal be-
reavement to every heart. Men, with pallid
faces and tremulous accents, say: II have
lost many dear friends, but it was nothing to
this" Eve did not know how much we loved
him until now" Insensibiy he had twined
himself about every heart, with the closest ties
of tender and living affection.1
Sprung from the obscurest and humblest Of
the community, ever walking in meek and
self-forgetful path Of duty, his life was a meet
preparation for the best understanding Of the
popular wants of great Republic.
Like Moses, he listened to the voice of the
Lord, calling upon him to lead his people out
of the depths of bondage, coming to the
head Of nation, with simple trust in the
pillar and cloud, growing into the full stature
Of wise and faultless leader, living above all
human weakness of pride or passion, passing
through the Red Sea Of carnage, with a
steadfast boldness that surprised the world,
still plying, patient and loving, holding fast
by his watchword Of duty and right, stand
ing at last upon Mount Nebo and pointing to
his people with glad thankfulness the glor-
les Of the promised land, falling at last COM
mon martyr with the thousands who have
given their lives that nation might live
looking back upon this grand and perfect life,
his wonderful labors, unerring wisdom, i'm
movable serenity and composure amid the Sc
verest calamities, his freedom from human
passion, we are lost in admiration, and can
only say: "This man was led Of Cod"
or the authors Of this foul and unnatural
murder, this fendish contamination Of all
the BLACKLIST villanies ever Matched in the
scorpion nest of slavery, we can say nothing.
No human power can punish such crimes.
vengeance is mine," saith the Lord, II will
repay. We leave them to His justice, fervent-
ly praying that he has resources of punish
ment meet for such crimes.
Let Rebellion tremble before our Joshua,
who dips his hands in this sacred blood, and
tells us, in brief, but weiehty accents, that the
greatest of all crimes Is treason. We still
have an able and fearless leader, less meek
and merciful, it may be, but still able to lead
us safely into the haven Of peace.
Well may we mourn for our beloved, for he
loved us well. Each man has lost a friend
and brother. But One has said, BLESSED
are they that mourn for they shall be com
forted.n. So let us take comfort and be thank
|
tul that God gave to us, for little season,
such rich and abundant blessing as the life
and labors and example Of this great and
good man, who has at last given us full and
perfect example Of the precepts Of the holy
Jesus who said: "Love your enemies; bless
them that curse you; do good to them that
hate you; and pray for them that despitefully
use you and persecute you" Even SO he
did, and was slain at their hands.
In the past week the Great Ruler has seen
ct to give us the greatest joy and the heaviest
sorrow ever borne by this nation. Baptised
in such affection, washed in the blood of mar
| tyrs, shall we not come forth, purified and re-
deemed, chosen people, meet to bear the ark
Of the Lord?
To-day our citizens have done what they
could to pay appropriate and mournful hom-
age ito the cherished memory Of Abraham
Lincoln. All the churches were deliberately
draped in mourning, and filled with sorrow.
full hearts. All wore badges OF mourning,
and the sad faces gave abundant token Of the
inward grief. All the banners are draped in
black, and the city presents uniform appear
ance of gloom. The bells were tolled at
twelve, and services held in all the churches !;
the bells tolled at two; at four procession
was formed and the citizens marched to the
Common, while the bands played funeral
dirges, and afterwards listened to appropriate
addresses from some Of our ablest orators.
We sigh for the stirring words Of our Ev-
erett, to speak the eulogy Of our sainted hero;
but his work, too, is done. God rest their
souls. L. A. B.