The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-05-18


OMce n warser DutsAing, Rieh.senA. Ind.
EuIooy on President Lincoln, by Schuy-
- Ter coifsx.
We copy the following extracts from
the eulogy by Speaker CoLFAx, on Presi-
dent LIxcoLs. delivered in Mishawaka,
on the oath of April last. Probably no
one has been more intimate with the
late President than has Mr.. CoLFAx, and
his utterances regarding him at moments
when public cares were pressing him on
ALI sides, are truthful and intensely in
tercsting: a~o. "as
No one could ever convince the Presl-
dent that he was in danger Of violent
death. Judging others by himself he
could not realize that any one could seek
his blood Or he may have believed, as
Napoleon wrote TO Jerome, that no pub
lie man could cfFectually shield himself
from the danger of assassination. Eas-
ier Of access to the public at large than
had been any of his predecessors; ad-
mitting his bitterest enemies to his re-
ception room alone, restive under the
cavalry escort which Secretary Stanton
insisted should accompany him last
summer in his daily journeys between
the White House and his summer resi-
dence, at the Soldiers Home, several
miles from w Washington, at time too. as
since ascertained in the details OF this
long organized plot, discovered since his
death, when it was intended to gag and
handcuff him and to carry him as hos
tage for their recognition; sometimes
escaping from their escort by anticipa-
ting their usual hour Of attendance;
walking about the grounds unattended;
he could not be persuaded that he ran
any risk whatever. Being at City Point
after the evacuation Of Richmond, he
determined to 90 thither; not from idle
curiosity, but to see il he could not do
something to stop the effusion Of blood,
and hasten the peace for which he
lOnged. The ever watchfnl Secretary Of
War hearing Of it implored him by tele
graph not to go, and warned him that
some lurking assassin might take his
life. Armed with his good Intentions
alas, how feeble n shield they proved
against the death blow afterwards-he
went, walked fearlessly and carelessly
through the streets-met and conferred
with a rebel leader who had remained
there and when he returned to City
Point telegraphed to his faithful friend
and constitutional adviser, who till then,
had feared, as we all did at that time, for
his life-"I received your dispatch last
night, went to Richmond this morning
and have just returned. ABRAHAM LIN
COLIN" When told him on that last
night, how uneasy all had been Mt his go
ing. he replied pleasantly and with a
smile RI quote his exact words Why,
II any one else had been President and
gone to Richmond, 1 would have been |
myself bit Ifany of you have ever |
been at Washington, you will remember
The foot-path lined and embowered with |
trees leading from the back door Of the
w ar Department to the White House.
One night, and but recently too, when,
in his anxiety for news from the army, |
he had been with the Secretary in the
telegraph office Of the Department, he
was about starting for home at late
hour by this short route. Mr.. Stanton
stopped him and said "You ought not to
go that way; it is dangerous for you
even in day time, but worse at night"
Mr.. Lincoln replied 81 don't believe
there is any danger there day or night"
Mr.. S. replied solemnly "Well, Mr.. Pres
ident, you shall not be killed returning
that dark way from my department while
I am in it YOU must let me take you
round by the avenue in my carriage.
And Mr. Lincoln, joking the Secretary
on his imperious military orders and
needless alarm on his account, entered
his carriage and was driven by the we'll
lighted avenue to the White House.
And thus he walked through unseen
without .'the dread of death" ;"
his warm heart so full Of good will, even
TO his enemies that he could not imagine
ehere was any one base enough to slay
him and the death dealing bullet was
spcd to its mark in a Theater, where,
but little over an hour before, he had
been welcomed as he entered, by q
crowded audience rising and with cheers
and waving of handkerchiefs, honoring
him with an ovation of which any one
might well be proud. Some regret that
he was there at all. But to all human
he was safer there, by far
than in his own reception room, where
unknown visitors often entered alone.
He found there a temporary respite oc
from the crowds who throng
ed his ante. .rooms-relaxation from the
cares and perplexities so constantly op
pressing him, keeping his mind under
the severest tension, like the bent bow,
till it almost lost its spring-and on this
fatal night, to be so black an one here
after in our calender. going with reluc-
tance, and, as he expressed it to Mr..
Ashman and myself. only because Gen
Grant, who had been advertised with
himself. to he present. had been com
PEELED to leave the city, and he did not
wish TO disappoint those who would ex-
pcct to see him there.
: OF the many thousands of persons /
have met in public or private life, can
not call to mind single one who exceed
ed him in calmness of temper, in kind
ness of disposition; and an overfowing
generosity OF impulse. 1 doubt if his
most intimate associate ever heard him
urter bitter or vindictive language He
seemed wholly free from malignity or
revenge; from i'll will or injustice.-At-
tackled ever so sharply. yoa all remember
that he never answered railing with rail
ing. Criticised ever SO unjustiy, he