Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-18
A DEED or HORROR has been done in our land


n The Chief Magistrate of the great Republic
has been stricken down by the bloody hand of an
ASSASSIN. In a moment of unsuspectng confidence
and relaxation, President Lincoln has been muir
dered Every element Of atrocity-coWardly, base,
end like-eyery trait of blackness that can impart
added horror TO crime, every characteristic OF the
demon, all the combined features that give hide
business to sin, unite in making this murder stand
out in startling and terrible dstinctness among the
gloomy scenes OF the worlds history.
Perhaps never since the day when the people OF
France heard that their beloved and chivalrous
monarch Henri Quatre, had fallen by the knife OF
the fanatic murderer Ravaillac, has nasicn been
moved by a deeper feeling than will be excited by
the death OF President Lincoln. The circumstances
surrounding the King of France and the President
of the United States were in many respects alike.
Civil war had desolated large part of his beau
tiful country, his genius and courage had sub
dued opposition, and. happily united his people an
der their legitimate monarch. Henry Fourth had
assembled the throne and was leading his people
into the pursuits of industry, peace and happiness,
when the murderer, with stealthy step, drew near
and plunged the fatal knife into the monarch's side.
And so with President Lincoln. Elected four years
ago the Chief Magistrate Of the whole Union by
vote in which all the Southern States participated,
and in which the form and spirit of the Constitution
alike supper ted his claim, he was subjected to
the pain OF seeing a civil war arise in the
land. The risltful authority, of which lie
was the chief Executive, was rejected. The Union
was threatened, and was inaugurated to rend
il asunder. Firmly, yet sadly, he accepted the is
arc. He allied out the military power OF the ma
ton TO enforce the laws and repress esistauce TO
inst authority. For four years Of bloodshed, OF
trials, disasters, dscouragementS, which would
have appalled, a heart less resolute and conScien-
lions. he has persevered. His steadiaess and
courage have astonished the people OF the Old
World. who have seen with something like awe
the tremendous powers Of war which have been
developed under his administration And now, in
the moment of success, when armed opposition had
fallen before him, aud he was about to lead re-
united people to paths Of peace, lie falls by the
hand of an assassin. A cowsrdly murderer creeps
behind him and fires the fatal bullet. II is re-
markable that the Executive Orders, under viii ch
drafting and recruiting for the United States army
were stopped, the restrictions upon trade re-
moved, and all the happy harbingers Of concord
and peace sent forth to cheer our country, Sere
issued on the very day when the hand Of murder
was preparing TO strike down the Chlef Officer OF
the Republic.
The man to whom this decd is attributed IS John
Wilkes Booth. He is a son of the tragediar, Ju-
MUS Brutus Booth, a native Of England, born in
London In 1875 The son is said to be native of
Baltimore. Reports attribute to him violent and
disordered character, brutalized by habits OF in
temperance and frenzied by unrestrained passions.
Under what motives he acted, whether his crime
was long medtated, or was the result OF recent
mental excitement, or whether lie was sane enough
20 know the fearful guilt he was contracting thsse
arc questions to which no answer yet appears
Rumor with hey thousand tongues will be busy in
suggesting falseboods, suspicicns and motives to
vvbich we trust the calm sense of the nation will
not too readily give heed.
Tho people OF the South will turn with lOsthing
and horror from this act of murder. Nothing in
tbe Southern character is in sympathy with such a
deed. The most reeptless and MEMORABLE passion
aver charged against Southern dueilist never led
% acts of cowardly, stealthy murder. In all the
fearful scenesof the war, now passing away, when
the most envenomed hatrsds have been rousad, no
,ecret assass;nations, poisonings, no unfair and
cruel assaults on the LIE of enemies have been
practised.
What shall Be- the proNimate and remote: results
Of this horsible tragedy, we will not now attempt
TO divine. But We feslassurod that the sentiments
Of Southern men wiz be made known in forms
which will prove their detestation Of such deed
| -, ;,-.asa tbeir 5esire 10 bind up the. bleeding
vounda of our common country.