The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-04-17

red to-
WASHINGTON, April 10.
SIR Abraham Lincoln President of the Unit
ed States, was shot by assassin last night at
Ford's theater in this city, and died at the hour OF
1922 this morning.
About the same time at which the president was
shot assassin entered the sick chamber OF Hon.
VIM. II. Seward, Secretary OF State, and stabbed
him in several places in the face, throat and neck,
severely though not MORALLY woundng him. 9th
ers, members cfthe secretary's family, were dan
gerously wounded by the assassin while making
his escape.
BY the death OF President Lincoln the office of
president has devoved under the constitution up
on you. The energy oil the government demands
that you should Immediately qualify according TO
the requirements of the constitution, and enter
upon the duties of president of the United States
If you will please make known your pleasure such
arrangements as you deem proper will be made.
Your obedent servants,
HUGH McCITLLOCH,
EN- STANTON,
sec'y of War.
VIM. DENNIsoN,
Post Master General.
Up. USHER,
sec'y of Interior
Attorney General.
To ANDREW JOHNSON,
Vice President of the United States.
Mr.. johnson requested that the ceremony
take place at his rooms at the Kirkwo
House in this city, at 10 O'Clock in the morn
ing. Hon. S. P. Chase, Chief Justice of the
United States Supreme Court, was notified of
the fact, and requested TO be IN attendance
to administer the oath at the above named
hour. The following named gentlemen
sem bled in the vice presidents rooms: Hon.
Hugh McCulloch, Attorney General Speed;
Hon. f. ?. Blair, Sr; Foote, of Vt ). Yates,
of Ill; Ramsay, of MINI; Stewart of Neva-
do; j. P. Hale, of n. H., and Gen. Farms
worth, of Illinois.
After the presentation of the above letter
the Chief Justice administered the following
oath to Mr.. johnson
do soemny swear that will faithfully execute
the office of President of the United States, and
will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and
defend the constitution of the United States.
After receiving the oath and being declar-
ed President of the United States, Mr.. john
son remarked:
GENTLEMEN: Il must be permitted to say that
| have been almost Overwhe med by the an
| nouncement of the sad event which has emit
ly occurred.
| feel Incompetent to perform duties import
ant and responsible those which have been
pectedly thrown upon me. As to an indIca
ton of any policy which may be presented by me
in the administration, must say that that m ust
be left for development the administration pr og
resses. The message declaration must be
made by acts as those transpire. The only as
surance that l can give OF the future reference
to the past. The course which have taken IN
the past IN connection with this rebellion must be
regarded as guarantee OF the future.
My past public lite, which has been long and
laborious has been founded, in good consci-
ence believe, upona great principle OF right which
lies at the basis OF all things. The best energies
fmy lite have been spent in endeavOring to
tablish and perpetuate the principles of free gov
eminent. l believe that the government, in pas
sing through the present perlls, will settle down
upon principles consonant with popular rights
more permanent and enduring than heretofore.
l must be permitted to say, IT understand the
feeling of my own heart, l have long labored to
ameIorate and elevate the cond itlon of the Anne
rican people. Toll and honest advocacy OF
the great principles offree government have been
my lot. The duties have been mIne-the conse-
quences Gods. This has been the found alton
of my political creed. / feel that in the end the
government will triumph, and that these great
principles will be permanently established.
In conclusion, gentlemen, let me say that
want your encouragement and counteDance.
shall ask to rel upon you and others In carrying
the government through it's present peris. feel,
IN making this request, that 1t will be heartily
sponded to by you and all other patriots and low
OF the rights and interests Of tree people.
At the conclusion of his remarks he receiv-
ed the kind wishes of the friends by whom
he was surrounded. A few minutes were
devoted to conversation. All were deeply
impressed with the solemnity of the OCCASION
and the recent sad occurrence that caused the
necessity for the speedy Inauguration of the
president was gravely discussed.
VIM. Hunter, chief clerk of the state de-
partment, has been appointed acting secre-
tary of state.