National Republican., 1873-11-17
RoBIssoS.sEwARp MEDAL.
Its Delivery to Mr.. Robinsoa-- scriptioi
of the Medal

OF the Medal.
Scarcely eight years have measured their
heightened shadows on the dlal-pla,e Of time
since that darkest tragedy In American history
was enacted which wrapped the entire country
10 the sable badges Of mourning-so dense was
the moral darkness of that Good Friday night,
when treason linked hands with ylllalny, and
beneath the deepest gulse OF intrigue stole,
viper IKE, into the national metropolis, AMI
sought TO poison the llfe-blDod Of national eN-
istcnce which II could not openly destroy.
The scenes In the great drama are too familiar
TO every American TO need rehearsal, especially
mere At washington, the stage upon which they
were enacted, and whose very streets, houses
aud plnces OF amusement recall the spectral
forms OF the God-forsaken band Of villains who
constituted the actors, managers and attendants
OF this darkest act OF crime.
As will be readily remembered, the plan antlcl-
pated the old Roman idea Of striking down the
tIyes OF Its several heads 81 one fell blow, to
accomplish which an incarnation Of the spirit OF
hell sought each OF the places where the Presi-
dent, Vice President and Cabinet ministers were
known TO be, there simultaneously to strike the
blow. The sequel Il well known--all escaped
unhurt save Lincoln the martyr and Seward the
elapsed ere outraged innocence was permitted
by God to kneel At the foot OF the scanod and
drink the satisfying drops as the tide Of life
ebbed from the veins OF the criminal and to go
thence to proclaim the results to intlmidate VII.
lalny In her future acts
Lincoln and his murderer soon met In that
land from which no traveller returns; Seward,
the great and true patriot and statesman, has
since Joined them and his woullbe assassin;
while stanton, the great war minister OF inneNl'
bile honor and iron will, has completed the lmmor;
tai trio, OF which America has been Impoverished
| to enrich the purer cline In the skies.
1t will bc remembered that q stalwart man,
armed with dagger, pistol and snng-shot, In tue
guise OF messenger from MI. Scward's surgeon,
gained admittance to the sick mans room for the
| fegnel delivery OF curative medicines sent 10y
the physician, and there indicted those wounds
| which must have caused death hut for months
| OF careful and atteltiyc mnlslrations OF hfrec-
/ tion at his bed side. The certainty OF his death
was assured had not the interference Of Mr..
sewatls sou and his falthfnl attendant, George
| i. Robinson, frustrated the design by diyerting
| the assasslh's blows and sharing their injuries.
| In recognition OF the
| HEROIC CONDUCT oP NR. ROBINSON,
Congress, by Joint resolution, passed March
l. 1871. appropriated him n monetary reward
OF 5000, and ordered the manufacture oi q
memorial medal, TO be presented TO him IN CON
memoration OF his bravery In saving the life o
This medal was designed by Geo. Y. Conn, o.
the District OF Columbia, at present clerk II
the revenue marine; engraved by A. .. Paqnet
the mint OF the United States IN Philadelphia
It contains 1924 worth OF fine gold, and Is Of mos
beautiful design, representlng on the obyers,
side the scene of the attempted assassination
Mr.. Seward lies In his bed with the curtain
drawn back, while immediately In front R,bin
son Is graphing Payne. who has large dsgge
volyer which has evidently fallen In the struggle
The faces are true TO life, especially that o
Americas distinguished statesman. On the re-
verse side OF the medal IL u hnst Of Robinson
with n wreath OF laurel above his head. with thl
following inscription around the rim: "ro Geo
y Ro6inson, awarded by the Congress OF th'
United states, March I, ISL" Across the face
"fur his heroic conduct on the H. II day Of ApIil
| ts65, In saving the lie Of the Hon. Vim. II. Sew
ard, then Secretary OF State Of the Unite,
States"
This medal was received at the of,ice Of lh
Director Of the Mint about three weeks since
where It has remained, waiting for tho caskc
which was being made for lts reception. Mr. II
II. Peacock. OF Philadelphia, arrived IN this CIT!
Friday with the casket. and Immediately nttct
the medal therein.
This casket Is u most exquisite piece OF work
manshtp, the body being OF tulip-wood, moldini
OF ebony, and the centre piece at the top beinl
OF F,ench walnut, surrounded with ebony, W hil
gilt edgings are around The top and bottom. Tn
inside is OF crimson velvet, the medal beinl
lifted In neat frame covered with the same
which turns upon hinges, thus exhibiting bot
sides.
on last Saturday morning Mr.. Robinson re
ceivll this beautiful gift, the expression OF
nations gratitude, and seemed much please
with It.. We trust that he will place II On exh
bitioa at one Of our JewClry establishments
where the public may nave a chance to admir-