, 1865-05-30
(From the London Times, May 81
THE MURDER or PRESIDENT
LINCOLN.
10 THE EDITOR OF THE TINES.

Slf,-lne American ClVll war Is De-
yond doubt the greatest event in the his
tory of mankind which has occurred since
the French Revolution. In both cases
a corrupt condition of political society
has purged itself at the cost of Il terrible
political and social convulsiOn. But the
French Revolution itself, with all its hor-
rors, has produced no crime more shock
Jug to tho Uon,uiuure Of maukind than the
murder Of the late President of the Uni-
ted States. The tribute which the civil
lized world from every quarter is offer
ing on the grave of that eminent person
is the natural instinct by which the hui
man race gives utteranCe to the horror
felt at a crime which is a cOmmOn dis
honour of our nature.
1t is too early to judge either of the
consequences of the crime, or of those
upon whom the responsibility Of it is to
be charged. Nothing can be more un-
Just than to visit upon whole societies or
general systems the acts of isolated per-
sons who may commit crimes without
authority in their name. If the Papacy
was held responsible for the massacre of
st. Bartholomew, it was not because it
contrived, but because it approved it.
The South will be judged, not by the act
of the assassin, but 10y the manner in
which they receive the news Of it. Booth
has accomplished against President Lin
coin what Brooks attempted against Sen
ator Summer. We unhappily know
how the act of Brooks was applauded by
both sexes Of the community which he
had disgraced. let US hope, for the
honour of our nature, that such all out
rage on humanity is not to be repeated.
I sincerely wish, Sir, that Mr.. Mason, on
behalf of the people he assumes to repre-
sent, had occupied himself or. this dread
full occasion a little more in expressing
his regret at the murder Of Mr.. Lincoln,
and a little less in finding excuses for its
commission. I hope that he will find III
the Southern States Of America few
''aCeU- baIanced mindS"-as assured!y he
will find none in England-who will see
in this hideous act the Unnecessary ofSpring'
of anything but the most detestable cow
ardice and w~ickedness.
Upon Mr.. Lincoln himself the world,
even before his death, had passed a just
and favourable judgment. Situated in
circumstances Of unexampled difficulty,
he had achieved unexpected greatness.
AS the leader in q revolution which he had
not made, he adhered as closely as that re-
volution permitted him to the law. In dis
aster he was undismayed, in success he
was sober, in the presence of provocatlon
he was moderate, in the hour of victory
he was merciful. IF these are not the
constituents of greatness, political and
moral, | know not what is the meaning
of that word. | see that some persons
are disposed to exult over those who had
not at the earliest moment appreciated
the true proportions of his remarkable
character. [ do not sympathize in such
censures, the more so, perhaps, because
if they were we'll deserved might feel
that / ought to share them. But | think
that those who plume themselves upon
their president sagacity commit the COM
mon fault of pretending to have been
wise too soon. Mr.. Lincoln grew to be
what he at length became by the hard
discipline of adversely and the strict
Chooling of responsibility. He became