White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1865-04-20
HORRIBLE TRAGEDYI
Presaaent Ltncoln and Secretary
seward Assassinnted

f--y os"6s enc COUNTY wal
astounded and enrsged BY the intelligence |
flashed over the telegraphic wires, that
President Lincoln and Secretary, Seward
had been assaseinated the night before 4
From the widest joy over the recent slo
rious Union victories. the nation was
plunged into the deepest grief. at this
terrible event. Sorrow overcast the land :.
the insignia of triumph gave way to-
badges Of mourning, and the nation was
lin gloom.
This affair has no parallel in the an
nails of the world. The execution Of
Charles the First Of England. and the
horrors Of the Reign of Terror in France.
were carried ont in some mock form of
authority. and under pretence of Kidding
the country oftyrants not of the peoples
choosing. But this deliberate assassi
nation, in the Cspitsl Of the Republic. Of
the Executive fairly chosen by an over
|whelming majority Of the people. and a
similar attack upon bis chief adviser.
!overshadows every other example Of
E6endish bsseness that the world ever wit
messed. The dark days Of Pagan Rome.
with their black deeds of assassination,
hear no comparison with this event in the
Hight Of the Nineteenth Century. which is
rendered more base from the fact that il
was doubtless committed for hire of pal
/ try gold.
If there are any yet left in the land who
profess ignorance or doubt as to how de.
based men had to become before they
Joined in the rebellion. they lay now be
kundeceived. The attempt to destroy the
nation for the sake of holding human be.
ings in bondage. was no great crime. in
The eyes Of some people; the murder and
starvation of prisoners captured in honor
able warfare, was a species Of brutality
rarely equalled: sallying from the brush
at midnight. to murder peacsable citizens,
Sor burn towns and murder their helpless
Inhabitants, have even been excused upon
the ground of retaliation; but who car
Justify this deliberate assassination of the
: Chief Magistrate Of the nation. at the very
moment when he was about to adopt
measures to restore peace to the bleeding
land -
q This tragedy. viewed 10 another light
increases in bsseness, and shows fhs
aSouthern rebels to be possessed of LEST
gratitude than wild beasts Of prey. 1t il
8well known that Lincoln and Seward
q we're the two men who secured mild anf
&enient treatment Of rebels, when the whole
acountry was clamorous for the severes
8exercise OF FIRE, sword and halter. Man,
IA rebel, who deserved death. has beer
Spardoned. or his punishment lightened
through Mr.. Lincoln's kindness Of heart
Sor in hopes of winning back the rebels b,
mild measures. They have murdered
their truest friends-and yet. 10 the &C
: of murder, the assassin exclaimed. Isl
.Semper 7yrannis They may cal
Lincoln tyran,; but if Andrew johnson
gives sway to the policy which he ha
8 long insisted upon against the rebels. AM
the enraged army and nation are permit
ted to carry out their idea Of justice ant
retribution, God have mercy en- tn
SSouth now
F Seward may rccover-that will be
great Tightening Of the burden of grie
that weighs down the loyal county
Tue murderers may be arrested and pu
to death-but whit are their miserable
lives, or millions Of such. in comparison
with the loss which they have intiicte'
upon the nation?
All are anxious to know, what effec
this event will have upon the poltica
state of the count,y-whether the blow
s will paralyzs the strength ofthe North 70
the moment. and give the South fres'
foothold. There was doubtless conspi
Tracy to murder the Heads of the Depart
ments at the same time, and thus stop tn
wheels of Governme nt; but happily it di
mot succeed. All have faith in tbs sound
pess of Andrew johnson: but he is nc
regarded as being the man that Abraham
Lincoln was. and late reports concernin
his unfortunate habits. 60 for toward pro
aucipg doubt and foreboding in the mind
Of the people. But leading statesme
express the utmost confidence in him; an
as he has retained the services OF Lincoln
cabinet, who are familiar with the MAJ
tyr Presidents plans and policy. all ma
Q, we'll. This affair may give the rebel
new momentary hope. and may some
what affect our European relations; bu
in the end. it will prove mere dam'g'n'
to the Confederscy than anything tbs
has vet occurred. 1t will show TO foreig
nations the true character of the Sonther
traitors, and hsrify aud disgust them wit
,hs cause. AT home. it will extingnls
the las. spark Of regard for the Souther
~, ,;,o.ad "a the breasts G