Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1865-04-22

try would soon be as happy as the household 20
(which the repentant prodigL returned. Our
pure, wise and noble Chief Magistrate, incapable
|of cherishing malignant or revengeful feeling
himself, aud therefore unable to conceive the
|implacable, deadly hatred of an enemy, used has
great authority to ca!R the PASSIONS KINDRED py
1.-THE conflict, and seemed anxious to save even
the leaders of the Southern rebellion from the
fatal punishment to follow a persistence In
crime. A few men dstrusted the glittering SUR
face Of affairs but there seemed to be general
assent to the experiment Of magnanimity I'M
dealing with the defeated foe, because, next to
(the salvation of the republic, peace was the
dearest wish of the popular heart. In spite OF
lthe cumulative evidence of the war, many peo-
Iple had not gagged the essential barbarsm of a
community, and there was yet an
(othcr lesson to learn that there is nothing more
RELENTLESS than bad ambition when baffled and
deprived of its prey. Men trained to believe
lin their divine right to rule and accustomed to
Fthe use of any means, however atrociouS, TO at
tain their ends, may be defeated MANNED de-
Espairing of success but they spurn the pity of
tine conqueror, and while life strength remains.
5are consumed by burning thirst for revenge
I'VE have been fighting such men we have bat-
fled their guilty ambition they have fallen from
Gthe proud position of great military power to
gthe rank of horde Of insurgents. Many of
their cOnquerors pitied them, patronized them,
Sought to win them back to the ways of loyalty
[and peace The response has been received-a
response sudden, treacherous, deadly as the
'sting of wounded adder that one may seek to-
lfondle and restore. Slaveholding chivalry could
mot " in in the manly contests of the feld II
emight perish, but it would not be concliated ;
fit would luli suspicion by professions of peni-
7tence and then employ its last resource -assass-
InatiOn. The nation understands them now. We
are not preparing parlors for the traitor Lee we
karc mourning over the bleeding body of muir
Idered President.
Our people. during their bitter period of trial
7have been called upon TO lament the sacrifice Of
{many brave, patriotic and gifted men. The soil
sof the battle field has soaked their blood, but
their souls go marching on" enrchng the
national life, nerving the arms that strike for
kliberty and Union and concentrating the triumph
kof the popular cause. Our murdered President
lis the most precious sacrifice the cause has
claimed. SO firm, yet SO forbearing so - clear
lin his great Office :; capable of leading the
people, vet SO willing to follow the matured
iopinion of the people, with whom he thoroughly
identified himself and in whom he hopefully
strusted even when their thoughts seemed to stray
from the true path devoted to principle when
devotion appeared to insure destruction :; so
3meek aud magnanimous, when, having led the
nation to triumph over its enemies, he could
See from the Pisgah of the journey, the Prom
sed Land Of peace, harmony and prosperity,
land many who had doubted or condemned him
sbcgan to chorus his praise the nation s grief for
: such loss can find but weak expression in words
1 or tears. 1t may be that, in the appointed order
8of Providence. Abraham Lincoln, given to US as
the peoples champion for great, decisive trial
could only crown his work by suffering martyr
dom. IL we cherish his example if we steadfastly
maintain the principles to which he devoted his
fife, and if the time and manner and spirit of the
TACT OF assassination warn us of the stern inexo-
Erablc work that is yet before us and lead to
{pledgc unceasing effort until that harsh but nee
3cssary task shall be thoroughly and gloriously
achieved we shall have the consolation that the
acause for which our President died is safe from
4 The assassins hand.