The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-04-28
HyWhiIe there is the shame Of ] bar

sent forth to Europe and the world, VI
send at the same time grand and strik
ing exhibition Of the strength Of on
Government, of the stability of our 10
s,itutions, aud Of the virtue, intelligence
and wise patriotism Of our citizens.
At the most perilous period that car
occur in the life of nation, our ruler j,
stricken down. Even in the times ol
peace, 10 the absence of commotion, and
when there are no extraneous circum-
stances to affect the well established ~
premacy of the law or to incite any por-
tion Of the citizens TO hostilisy and oppo.
sition p an administration. such . tragedy
Is q fearful strain upon tbs fixed stabil.
ity of . government, and may come laden
With dangers threatening its destruction.
That danger is greatly multiplied when.
as in this case, the nation is still tossing
upon the pillows of . revolution which
has convulsed the land throughout its
length aod breadth. and evoked in antap.
onism all the martial prowess Of brave
people, and called into life the iiercess and
most uugovernable popular passions -
Filled with horror as he looks upon the
frightful drama of blood enacted at Wash
ington, weeping hot and binding tears of
grief over the body OF our honored dead,
bis check crimsoned with shame that this
country should have produced and nur-
tured the fend that slew the best. most
loved, and " foremost man in oil this
world - cursing the assassin with bit
terness over which not even death can
throw. the mantle of softening charity
every American citizen, even as he kneels
a. the grave Of an asssssinated President.
can be prouder of bis country and his
Government than ever before. Our Ma.
tional Capital has just witnessed the sad
dest and the greatest act in history. The
President that of all others in the land
the people had chosen for their ruler. Who
was our tried and trusted leader-upop
whose strong and guiding arm, under
God, the nation leaned with . well
grounded confidence and . lofty faith
that leader perishcs 10 an hour. A food
OF very agony Of grief rolls over the
papularAtsrt. Surprise, anguish, bitter
ness, hate, vengeance-a thousand emo.
tons occupy all minds and yet during
oil this, Mr.. Lincoln's Cabinet-many of
them nen OF power and great leaders and
strong in popular con6dence-wai. uton
Mr.. Vice President Johnson, notify him
hat be is President, be is sworn into Of
fee, and be enters upon his new duties
Within three hours after Mr.. Lincoln' q
death the nation has new ruler. The
presiding officer Of legislative body has
become Chief Of the greatest Governm en-,
on earth. and the most marked Of living
men. A change that may affect the des.
tines of an age and continent has trans
pired in few hours. and the nation goes
on as before. Were 6nal act necessary,
this crowns the series of events establish.
Jog our Government, and insures the
parpetuity OF our Republican institutions
| II DR.. Charles Maekay, 10 the New
York Tribune, cautions the people agains
making hero Of the assassin Booth. III,
says:
] His crime Is gigantic; and it is unfor
ttunately in The uatnre Of gigantic crime
to excite morbid feelings in the minds Q
the insane or semi-insaae, and cause theH
to emulate the deed that fills ell men
minds and occupies all mems tongues
Some years ago, several attempts weF
made to assassinatc the harmless and est
mable lady who sits on the throne Of Eng
land. The attempts sacceeded esch othe
SO rapidly that there seemed An epidemi
Of madness and assassination in the air
las difIicnlt to explain ~ the cholera moi
bus. II was suddenly suggested b.
student Of human nature, that the desiz
Of being spoken Of, Of being made ID
main actor in . great tragedy, had charm
enough in the imagination Of people /
diseased intelects, to compel them
|. commit atrocious crimes; and that u
best way to render attempted assassinl
! ton unpopular was to fog on the bal
!. back, every morning for : montb Of si
weeks. the 6rst wretch Who should ther
!, after attempt 70 play tho Bfutus. II
suggestion was acted upon; and eipce th
time tho life Of Queen Victoris has bel
, safe from the fanatics and the lunatics.
). And DR.. MaCkay suggested ! sinil
i treatment for Booth da:ly, between 4
is time Of his conviction and execution. b
the advice j. snperapesn sow.
. - Je1a CxsssIl, ~ psll ksewn d
's don publisher, died Ssadsy, april "a.
!. his fortjthifd gear.
- Tha coea1runtin, ~ tba spsas