Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-07-16
Washington Correspondents Of the Cincinnati
Commerciall
Colfax. ut the Death of Mr. Lincoln.

The day that Mr. Lincoln saw the last
of earth he asked Colfax, whom he warm
ly esteemed and relied upon, to accompany
him to the theatre that night. II was the
day but one before ColfaN was to start on
his Rocky Mountain trip. .
Colfax replied at is impossible, sir
all my time is engaged.
"What kind of play is this American
Cousin, Colfax| asked the President
Mr.. Colfax said it was just the thing
to DO amused with and made forgetful OF
ones self
"Then," said Lincoln, "here is a little
message l want you to carry to the mi
ners. Let me read it to you"
And, while they waited at the Office
door, Lincoln read to Colfax his last com
position in this world, and then placed it
in his side coat pocket.
Good-by," said Lincoln. an tele-
graph you at San Francisco.
That night Colfax, going home from a
visit to the Postmaster-Ge General, who lived
| believe, in the Speakers present resi-
dence, passed by the Metropolitan Hotel
Seeing a crowd there, he hurried by, as
is his wont when there are indications Of
quarrel; but man cried:
"Colfax y The Speaker stopped.
"The President has been murdered y
said the man.
The Speaker laughed in his. face.
"Why, left him. he said, mot more
than an hour ago"
"Well, sir, was in the the theater my.
self, and saw him shot"
At the word "theater," Colfax saw il
all. He hailed cabman and was driven
TO the White House. There he dismissed
the carriage. Ringing the bell. the por-
ter said there was no doubt the President
was murdered, but his body had not
come home. The Speaker walked with
Senator CONFESS down 10 the little brick
house where Mr.. Lincoln lay dying, and
being admitted, stood by the martyr till
daylight. Soon after the life of Lincoln
expired.
This accident links Mr.. Colfax to Lin
coin as closely as Grant, and both wer.
probably nearest the Emanoipator'
thoughts when he recyived the disap.
pointed actors bullet. Tom Taylor is a
pleasing but not extraordinary dramatist;
the American Cousin" however, by
reason Of its association with Lincoln's
death, will probably keep the stage as
long as the mock drama in Hamlet.
1t belongs to history now, and not tc
literature.
i When Colfax saw Lincoln so shortly
before his murder, he was accompanied
believe, by representative Howard
The topic of conversation was Lincoln.
resembling of his permission for the Leg
isIature of Virginia to assemble. As re
construction is now being fully consum
mated | may refer to this.
The element of mercy in Lincoln's ma
ture fastened prematurely the business o.
pacifcation. He gave permission. OIL
pressure, for Letcher and his entire legis
lature to assemble at Richmond. When
he came back to Washington, Stanton as
sailed him on this point, and demanded
that he revoke it. They talked together
until Stanton sweat through his shirt, and
moistened his handkerchief with the per
SEPARATION of his face.
Lincoln therefore said to Colfax;
stanton says / have been behaving
wrong, Colfax. l guess he is right, and
here's the telegraph message wherein
have let him have his wayw
The rebel legislature never assembled
and the principles of Stanton prevailed
that loyal men shall govern redeemed
Republic :"