Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-02-22
IN MEMORIAM.
Abraham Lincoln, the
Martyr President.
The Congressional 0bsequies.
Grafton by George Bancroft.

WASHINGTON, Monday, Feb. l2. 1850.
The flags over the public buildings, in
cluding the Capitol, were at half-mast to
day.
At 10 o'clock the doors leading to the
rotunda of the Capitol were open to those
holding tickets of admission.
The President Of the United States, the
Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the
Supreme Court Of the United States, the
heads Of Departments, and the Diplomatic
Corps occupied prominent seats. Repre-.
sentstives and Senator'S occ6pied seats on
either side of the hall, beside the assistant
heads Of Departments, Governors Of States
and Territories, the Mayors Of Washington
and Georgetown, the Judges of the Court
Of CLAIMS, and the Chief Justice and AS
sociate Justices of the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia, the heads OF
Bueaus in the Departments, and others.
When Lieut. Gen. Grant entered the
gallery, with ladies, he was greeted with
applause.
The army and navy officers were in uni.
form. The Diplomatic Corps appeared in
citizens dress. ......rt e4
Major.G Gen B. F. Butler, on entering the
hall, was applaudsd by his friends.
The House was called to order at IL o.
clock by the Speaker.
Rev. Mr Boynton, Chaplain Of the
House Of Representatives, opened the pre-
ceedings with prayer.
Every seat in the House was occupied.
The Marine Band, in the rear of the re.
porter's gallery, performed solemn air
from the opera of La Trovatore.
Hon. Lafayette s. Foster, President pro
ten Of the Senate, presided. Mr.. Foster
said:
No ordinary occasion could have conven.
ed this august assembly. For four years
the storm of civil war ragged fercely over
our country. The blood of the best and
bravest Of her sous had been freely shed tto
preserve her name and place among the ma.
tions Of tho earth. In April last the dark
clouds which had 80 long hung heavily and
gloomily over our heads were all dispersed,
aud the light Of peace, more welcome than
even the vernal sunshine, gladdened the
eyes and the hearts Of our people. Shouts
of Joy and songs Of triumph echoed through
our land. The hearts Of the devout poured
themselves in prisons and thanksgivings to
God of Battles and of Nations that the
most wicked and most formidable rebellion
ever known to human history, had been eff
fectualy crushed, and our country was
saved. In the midst of the abounding joy,
suddenly and swiftly as the lightninRs fash,
came the fearful tidings that the Chief
Magistrate of the Republic, our President,
loved and honored as few men ever were,
so honest, so faithful, so true to his duty
and his country, had been foully murdered;
had fallen by the bullet Of an assassin. All
hearts were stricken with horror. The
transition from extreme joy to profound
sorrow was never more sudden aud univer
sal! Had it been possible for stranger,
ignorant of the truth, to have looked over
the land he would have supposed that there
had come upon US some visitation Of the
Almighty no less dreadful than that which
fell on ancient Egypt, on that fearful night
when there was not house where there
was not one dead. The Nation wept fol
him. After being gazed upon by myriads
of loving eyes under the dome Of this mag
ni6cent capitol, the remains of our Presi
dent were borne in solemn processiot
through our cities. towns and villages, al
draped in the habilime1ts of sorrow, tn,
symbols and tokens of profound and heart
felt grief, to their final resting place 10 thu
capital Of his own State. There he sleeps
peacefully, embalmed 10 the tears of hi
; countrymen. The Senate and House o
Representatives have throught proper Il
commemorate this tragic event by appre
pirate services. This day, the birthday o
him whom we mourn, has properly been
selected. An eminent citizen, distinguishes
by his labors and services in high aud re
sponsible public positions, at home ant
abroad, whose pen has instructed the pres
ent age in the history Of his country, an,
done much to transmit the fame and renow
of that country to future ages, the Hon
George Bancroft. will now deliver dis
. course. Applause. ....,. ....i ,o ..l
: Mr.. Bancroft, who was sitting betwee
Senator Fooe on one side and Represents
tive Washburne of Illinois on the othel
then arose and delivered the following ad
dress:
$ MIR. BancrOfGs Grafton.
GOD IN HISTORY.
SENATORS REPRESENTATIVES OF AMEF
IcA: That God rules in the affairs of me
ia as certain as any truth OF physical scienc
On the great moving power which is frel