The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-05-12
Remarks of 7. C. Grier, Esq, at Bay
City, Mich, April 10th, on the Death
of President Lincoln.

go.ious Gold, But iov days ago tho
great national heart was clnadencd at tho ,
downfall Of tho Bebcl Capital, and tho eur
render of it's mighty army. Peace was
about ushering in her Goldco morning, aud
the people assembled IN vast uultitudCs to
do honor 10 Abraham Liucoln, tho Savior
of bis country. To-day our Chtitain is
dcad--siruck down by tho bloody land o,
the assassin, and u nation mourns tho loss
OF her delIyCTur.
Let us for few moments recall his noble
nttcrauces and behold bow faithfully he has
performed his sacred trust. In his fret in
Hugural aIdsess he said, Il shall take care
MS the Constitution itself expressly orjojns
nron me, thPt tho laws of tho Union be
faithfully executed in all tho States
VI by should tboro not be q patient
confidence in the ultimate justice Of the
people: IT tho Almighty Ruler OF
Nations, with His ctornal Truth and Jus.
tico 10 on your side OF tho North, or yours
of tho South that truth and that justice
will surely prevail" Again; "In your hands
my dissatisfied icllow.eountrymcu and not
in mine is tho momentous issue Of civil
war. Tho Government will not asscii YOU
You can have no conflict without boag
yourselves the hggressors. You have no
oath registered IN Heaven to destroy tho .
Government. whilo ! shall have the most
solemn ore to preserve, protect and doiend
it. | am 10th to closo; VIC arc not enemies
but fricgda-wc must not be enemies -
Though passion may bavo strained. it must
not break our bonds of affection. Thongs.
tic chOrds OF memory, stretching from ovorv
battlefield aud patriot grave TO every living
heart and hearth stone all over this broad
land will vet swell tho Chorus Of tho Union,
when again touched, as surely they will be,
by tho better angels Of our Daturo."
Ii ia sad to think that tho humane pDd
fondor heart that gavo birth to such sonti-
meats shall beat no more forever. Delight.
ing not in bloodshcd, with tender l0vo for
his counrymen ho appeals to them by tho
'mystic chords of memory to avert the
horrors OF civil contest and to imbIuo pot
their hands in iratornal blood. Oh, that
his mighty love had touched their hearts -
. Our bravost and best that have fallen, gal.
lantly battling FOR their country's rights and
tho nations honor, would still live, and tho
"Sunuy South" would have been spared the
bIacknoss and dosolation that hayo fallen
like night upon it, But mad ambition ruled
the hour. Mistaking his tenderness and
humanity for indecision and cowardicc they
hurled the first balls against the walls of
Sumter. Tho ball struck overy heart in
the North, Then was seen tho majesty OF
the people and the strength Of charact OF
md purpose of Abraham Lincoln; rising in
their might, with him for thcir leader ,shuk.
ing off their lethaIgy us the "lion shakes
tho dew drop from his m9ne," thoy mar.
shalled III mighty hosts to battle for liberty
md law. For four long years has Abraham
Lincoln. upheld tho people and his faith in
iho Almighty Ruler of Nations amid the
nighlcst conflict that over shook the world
romained true to his sacred trust and prom
ten And hn teiI linn, 80
tho cloud was appearing, and he was abunt
to be rewarded by tho grand fruli0n of his
hopes and Efforts he is struck down by tho
cowardiy ha6d of the assassin, leaving bis
country to mourn his loss IA country never
mourncd before Although no undOubtod
1y saw that n few months would restore
peace and union to bis beloved country, SET
he on earth shall never SEQ tho glorious
consummation Of his lhbors. Ho had con
formed to that Eternal Truth and Justico
he had struck tho yoke from every neck
aud lot the oppressed go free" and he kno'
that such cause would Surely prevail"
The distinguishing traits Of his chnracto
were love of humanity, liberty and mere,
nnd faith in tho people, In his first met
sago he said: This is essentially people
contest On tho side of tho Union it is
struggle for maintaining in the world thu
form and substance of government whot
leading object is to elevate tho conditiO
of man; to lift artificial weights from n
shoulders; 10 clear tho paths of laudabl
pursuits Tor all; to afford all an uniettere
start aud fair chance in tho rHco of life
Contrast these sentiments which Tcpi,
sented our side of tho contest, with thos
declared by tho Vice President of tho Reb,
Confederacy as those representing tho
Bde of tho contest. llo then prOclaime
the doctrine that tho ideas entertained l.
jefferson and tho leading ct ltosmcn at til
tmo of tho formation of tho Constitntio
wore erroneous. "Ihoso IDEAS" he say
'wero fundamentally wrong. They reste
npon tho assumption of tho equality of race
THIS tpGs an error. 1t was u sandy toun,
alton and tho idea of a Government 1ui
npon it--when tho storm and tho wind cam
NJ GH" Ulas II fallenO "Our now Cover
mont is founded upon exactly the opposi
ideas. This stone which was rcr,
cd by the builders is become tho chict sto
of the corner in our now edlfice." Wha
foundation "This new GOyctnmont, VIII
Gods aud tho peoples storm came, II f
Now follow citi,uns, on which side does
almighty Ruler OF Nations" with his ct
nal truth and Justice stand? D0os not /
result teach us.
Our flag is triumphant. II floats o.
Tho raRparts OF tho Rcbol Capital which
long dchcd our arms. 1t waves thoBo dca
loss stars above tho soil of overy. State a
shall wave thcro forever. Soon the tum
OF war shall cease. and Union, peace Il
liberty be usherCd in But our chioft
shall net behold it. Dsqulotudo. tho
mutt of war. great oxortIon. fatigue and
rnat vpro is nor finn. mrs the urprinua n