Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-03-28
From Walt whitman's promised book.
Death of abraham Lincoln.

The day, April II. 1865. seems to have
been pleasant one throughout the whole
land-the moral atmosphere pleasant too
the long storm. so dark, so tratricidal,
full OF blood and doubt and gloom, over
and ended at last by the sunrise OF such
an absolute national victory. and utter
breaking down of secessionism,-
almost doubted our senses Lee had
capitulated beneath the apple tree OF
Appomattox. The other armies. the
ianges of the revolt, followed.
Aud could it really be then Out Of
all the affairs of this world of woe aud
pass on. of failure and disorder and dis
may, was there really come the confirmed
unerring sign of plan, like shaft of pure
light-ot righttul rule-ot Godp
But | must not dwell on acces sories.- -
The deed hastens. The popular afternoon
paper, the little Evening Star, had scat
tered all over its third page. divided
among the advertisements in sensation
al manner, in hundred different places,
The President and bis lady will be at
the theatre this evening" (Lincoln was
fond of the theatre. have myself seen
him there several times. | remember
thinking how funny it was that be. in
some respects, the leading actor in the
greatest and stormiest drama known 10
real history's stage, through centuries,
should sit there and be so completely
interested and absorbed in those hum an
jackstraws, moving about with their silly
little gestures, foreign spirits and fatulent
text)
So the day. as l say, was propitious.-
Early herbage, early flowers, were out.
Il remember where was stopping at the
time. the season being advanced there
were many lilacs in full bloom. By one
of those caprices that enter and give tiDge
to events without being at all a part of
them, find myself always reminded of
the great tragedy of that day. by the
sight and odor of these blossoms. II
never fails.)
On this occasion the theatre was crowd
ed. many ladies in rich and gay costumes.
officers in their uniforms, many we'll
known citizens. young folks, the usual
cluster of gas lights.tke usual magnetism
OF so many people. cheerful. with per
fumes, music OF violins and futes-(and
over all, and satura,ing all, that vast
vague wonder. Victory, the Nations Vic
tory, the triumph OF the Union filling
the air, the thought. the sense, with
sxhilaration more than all pertumes.)
The President came betimes, and, with
his wife witnessed the play; from the
large boxes OF the second tier. two thrown
into one, and profusely draped with the
national flag. The acts ond scenes OF the
piece-one OF those siDgularly witless
compositions which have at least the
merit of giving entire relief TO an audi
ence engaged IN mental action or business
excitement and cares during the day, as
il makes not the slightest call on either
the moral, emotional, @sthetic or spirit
ual nature a piece (Our American
Cousin)in which among other characters,
so called, Yankee, certainly such one
as was never seen, or the least like it
ever seen in North America, is introduced
in England, with varied fol-de-rol of
talk, plot, scenery and such phantasma.
goria as goes to make up popular mod
ern drama-had progressed through per.
haps couple of its acts, when in the
midst of this comedy or tragedy, or non.
such, or whatever it is to be called, and
to offset it or finish it ont, as If in naIure,s
l11 llI