The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-05-11

Each duty of life thus faithfully done in
its own good time, must make the
failure of the doer an impossible event.
This faith in duty, and devotion to it was
that bound together each separate act of
President Lincoln's life; and gave con-
sistency and strength to his great and
good character
He was a thorough man He read
thoroughly and remembered what he
read He mastered the facts of every
subjec. submitted to his consideration,
and knew their value we'll His argu-
ments show the utmost carefulness on
his part to reject every doubtful or for
eign element; and his conclusions, tho
not always based on the broadest posi-
bic lnductions, are generally legitimate
differences from sound premises. He
was. therefore, q sound man. No prac-
tical matter of business transcribed his
capacity to comprehend it; no labor
that deyolved upon him, too great
for his patient endurance and effort to
accomplish it.
While he lived, the measures of his
administration were often criticised by
his political opponents, and some Of them
severely censured even by his friend
No man, however, who knew him we'll,
ever doubted the general rectitude of
his purposes, or the goodness Of his
heart. The great events through which
he conducted the country, the response
bilities he was forced to assume by the
new and unforeseen contingencies which
were constantly arising in his way, and
the fact that, taken altogether, his adj
ministration is now admitted to have
been successful, must go far to secure
for him, as a cheif magistrate. the ia
vorable judgment of the whole people.
When, in addition, it is considered that
in the brief space of single term
he welded larger official patronage
and power, decided more rev questions
involving momentous public and private
interests-in 4 word, transacted more
weighty business directly involving the
existence of the government, than all
his predecessors in the Presidential Of
fice and vet committed no fatal error, it
is not charity, but simple justice that
demands that all should cease to find
fault with his administration. The sad
circumstances of his death have, indeed,
hushed the clamor of opposition; and,
in the sympathy of a mighty and univer-
sal grief. united all men Of all parties in
one, which is bowed reverently down
under the chastisement Of a common
bereavement
He is gone; and friend and foe alike
deplore his fall. do not believe that
there is any general sentiment Of ap
proval Of his assassination, even in the
States lately arrayed against the Gov
/ ernment. On the contrary, it must be
\ plain to every man, even of common in
telligence, both there and elsewhere,
| not only from the oft repeated declara-
I tions Of Mr.. Lincoln himself, but from
the uniform tenor of his public acts, that
! he was, perhaps, the most conservative,
and certainly altogether the most merci- |
full and forgiving man to whom the great
work of reconstruction could have been
committed. / am sure that throughout
! the country there is but one sentiment
in relation to his assassination, and that
is sentiment of profound sorrow for
the loss sustained by the nation in the /
death of so good and so great leader.
and of horror and execrstion for the in
fernal crime and criminal by whom he
! fell Then, let us all endeavor to make |
| his death the occasion for a reunion of
the whole people of the country. Let
| there be no effort to deepen and widen |
! the gulf by which party strife has hith +
erto separated us rather let it be closed
and healed forever by his sacred blood /
Let all true men repel the miserable poll
CIV that would seize his murder as a
means of involving the people in deeds /
of partisan brutality and vengeance /
Standing by his still open grave, let us
all pray that the broad mantle of his /
charity may fall upon us. and that we
/ like him, may be ever willing to tolerate
difference of opinion so long as it does I
not culminate in treason to the Govern I
ment which protects US all
I A little more than four years ago, he +
passed through this State to the Federal /
~ .o1 ,Itt,
the responsibilities to which the nation .
had called him One section of the I'm /
ion was even then arrayed against the +
Government which he was to administer. /
He felt, and said at the time, that labor +
greater than had been performed by /
Washington, was before him; that he 4
put his trust in the support and prayers i
of the people, and the mercy of God for /
ability to accomplish it From that /
time until the moment of his fall. he !
4 labored faithfully at the grea. task then /
before him The people have prayed +
and labored and bled. that he might not /
fail of its accomplishment. God has /
mercifully upheld him and crowned his +
efforts with success: and then in the /
moment of accomplishment, when the 1
dawn was breaking upon the dark night +
! of his countrys affiiction. and the voices /
Z ~
land. He raised him from the scene of
his earthly labors and trials, and tri /
umphs, to the reward of eternity. Sure
ly, it is even blessed at such time to
/ die.
| He is gone. THE cross remains to
us-the crown to him" His life long |
battle with injustice and wrong. is
fought-his victory won The sword /
that he welded has fallen from his hand; +
it is unstained by innocent blood; he (
I left it pure and bright to his successor, /
who has taken it up TO carry forward the +
triumphant cause of the Government
now. the cause of liberty, of humanity, /
/ and of civilization He knew, even in /
death, that
Another hand bis sword should WELD,
Another hand his standard wave.
TIL frou the trunnpets mouth Is peaied
The blast Of triumph Der his grave.