The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-05-11
Correspondence of the Jeffersonian.
HAREwoop U. S. A. HosrrrAL.

2
will cause it to be remembered in history,
when the present and succeeding generations
lie forgotten and mouldering in the dust.
The glorious triumphs of the Union arms
over armed traitors, and the capture of the
cities of Petersburg and Richmond; the to-
tai destruction, capture, and final surrender
of the whole rebel army, under Gen. Lee, to
Lieut.. Gen. Grant the brilliant illumina-
tions at the national capital, and the impo.
sing torchlight professions which paraded
the streets of the city of Washington on the
evening of the 18th, in manifestations OF Joy
at the prospects of the speedy overthrow of
the shareholders rebellion, and the restora-
tion of peace and tranquility to our distract
ed and bleeding country; the words Of cheer
and comfort spoken by President Lincoln on
the occasion, and his magnanimous and con-
ciliatory policy towards the traitors in arms; :;
the replacing of the identical flag upon the
wall of Fort Sumter by Gen. Anderson, on
the l4th, amid the thunders of Union canon
and august ceremonies, which the Southern
traitors, four years ago, compelled him to
haul down to- make room for their own flag
of treason; the spontaneous fejoicings of the
loyal people, throughout the whole country,
at these glorious results, and signal triumphs
of the cause of freedom, are events that will
live in history, and upon which unborn gen.
erations viii delight to ponder.
The good President was on the eve of dis
patching the Dove of Peace with a message
of love and forgiveness to the enemies of lib
erty, exhorting them, with fathers tender
ness and compassion, to stop their prodigali-
tv. and return to their fathers house; that
the fatted calf might be slain, the whole fam
lily of States be made happy once more, and
the song of JOY he heard throughout the land.
But, o! how suddenly is all our joy turned
into sorrow, and our rejoicing into mourning.
An ungrateful son of perdition, traitor and
an enemy to the land that gave him birth,
and cherished and protected him, with mali
cous hate, and without cause or provocation,
steals up TO the good President, who is un-
armed and unconscious of danger, and fires
the fatal bullet into the brain of the Pres-
dent. Thus, at moment when the cup OF
rejoicing was full, and the nation in an &C.
stacy of JOY over her new birth and deliver
ance from the chains of slavery, was Amer
cas- greatest statesman and chief ruler heart
lessly murdered in cold blood, and the ma
tions Joy changed to bitter grief. But thank
God, faithful Abraham Lincoln was not call
ed away until he was first permitted to as
cend to Pisgah's heights and get glimpse
of the fruits of his four years arduous toll,
in saving the country from anarchy and ruin !;
to behold the promised Canaan in the distance
redeemed from the curse of slavery, and the
whole people delivered from the house of
bondage; and to witness the rebel hosts of
Jeff Davis, this modern Pharoah, whitening
before the advance of the Union Army as
before the blast of the Almighty.
But what change has taken place in
every thing that surrounds us. The flags
that f1oated SO proudly in the air week ago,
are at half mast and draped in mourning
They refuse to kiss the breeze, and they
bow their folds in doleful silence TO the earth
The feathered songsters refuse to sing their
merry songs to cheer and gladden. the heart,
as if it was meet for man to be of a sad coun-
tenance and sorrowful heart, in this our time
of national bereavement. The waters of the
Potomac are unruffied by the breeze and, like
vast mirror, reflect buildings standing on
its banks clad in the hablaments of woe, and
steamers gliding on its bosom dressed in
mourning, and freighted with sad hearts, on
their way to the National Capital, to pay
their last respects to the mortal remains of
our second Washington. The Capitol, which
few nights ago was brilliantly illuminated
in honor of our victories. resembling huge
pillar OF fire, with its lofty dome towering
in the air like mighty giant, and surmoun-
ted by the Goodies of Liberty, is also clothed
with the garments of sadness and mourning,
llhe one tldl t1OuInetn fOr an only Cnlld.-
Were it possible for stones to weep, or tears
to burst from iron eye-balls, torrents would
flow from the eyes of our emblem of liberty,
as she looks down from her lofty station and
beholds her mighty Chieftain, slain by the
hands of traitors and assassins.
The blindness and bigotry of the rebels in
numbering their best friend, President Lin.
coin, is strikingly similar to the folly of the
Jews who KILLED the Son of God, who came
into the world to save them, and that too on
the same day, Good Friday. The murder
of Abraham Lincoln will be more regretted
throughout the civilized world, than would
be the whole rebel horde buried in oblivion
beyond the hope of resurrection.
That conspiracy to assassinate the Pres
ident, the Vice President, the whole Cabi-
net, and other prominent statesmen who
would not bow the knee before the slayehold-
er's god, was entered is no longer a. oues-
| tion for doubt; and that the rebel leaders
are at the head of it, and the Knights of the
Golden Circle the instruments to carry it
into execution, developements have already
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