Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-14
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
RixKLIS II. DREW. Secretary Of State

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Five years ago to-day the nation was
stricken to the heart by the assassination
of Abraham Lincoln. We had passed
safely through the dangers of the great
war that threatened the life Of the nation
Lee had surrendered; the rebellion was
ended; we were just in the flush of JOY
over the victory which preserved the unity
of the country at that moment he who
had been our trusted and able leader
through the trial that tested to the utmost
the nations valor, strength and patriotism,
fell by the hand of the assassin. The last
day of his life," says Bancroft, ''beamed
with sunshine, as he sent by the Speaker
Of the House, his friendly greetings to
the men of the Rocky mountains and the
Pacific slope; as he contemplated the re-
turn of hundreds of thousands of soldiers
to fruitful industry; as he welcomed in
advance hundreds of thousands of emil
grants from Europe; as his eye kindled
with enthusiasm at the coming wealth of
the nation. And so, with these thoughts
for his country, he was removed from the
tolls and temptations of this life, and was
at peace" How that blow fell upon the
heart of the people we all distinctly re-
member. 1t came like a great national
calamity. In the midst of our rejoicing
we were overwhelmed with grief, horror
and Indignation at the terrible deed. Every
family felt as though a loved member of
its own had been ruthlessly sacrificed.
The emblems of mourning were flung ont
all over the land; never did nation bow
itself in more tender or sincere sorrow
than this over the death of Abraham Lin
coin. The noble service which he had
rendered his country, his honesty, single
ness of purpose. and goodness of heart
had endeared him to all the people. They
loved him too, because he sprang from
and was one of the people, never forget
ting to the last that wealth and position do
not make the man, but that man is a
man howsoeyer humble his condition.
His "early teachers were the silent forest,
the prairie, the river and the stars" He
was 1.-The genuine fruit of institutions
where the laboring man shares and assists
to form the great ideas and designs of
his country" Every step of the way from
the backwoodsman to President of the
United States was accomplished by rugged,
honest toll, and his success in conducting
the affairs of the government at the most
critical period of its history is a fact which
lifts the worker above the accidental cir
cumstances of birth or fortune and COM
pelsthe world to recognise the merit of the
lowly. ........
Five years have elapsed. and now, upon
this anniversary of Lincom's martyrdom,
we witness all about us demonstrations of
JOY at the complete enfranchisement of the
race in behalf of which he was victim.
Probaly he never imagined in his most
extravagant anticipations the reality and
fullness of freedom which have attended
the emancipation of the negroes. Deal
ing with a public sentiment that was re-
luctant even to allow the negro to put on
the uniform of "a United States soldier and
assist in fighting our battles, he could not
have forescen the facts now accomplished.
never have dreamed that in 1870 the col
ored man would be clothed with all the
rights of white men upon American soil and
have his own destiny as much under his
control as they theirs who once treated him
as having no rights TO be respected
While we linger with sorrow over the
memory OF this day five years ago, We re-
ioice at the entire removal of the curse
which disgraced our nationality, and look
forward with hope and confidence to long
years of prosperity for our country, in
which it shall be refuge to the oppressed
and continue glorious example of the
capacity of the people for selfgovernment.
Taking the memorable words Of Lincoln
uttered upon the field of Gettysburg as our
rule of conduct, let us advance in the way
appointed for us. carrying onward the
work for which he and the slain upon that
battle field died at is for us, the living,
rather to dedicate ourselves to the I'M
finished work which they who fought here
have thus far so nobly advanced; to con-