The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-05-01
! NO. 81.

brought such woe upon the nation.
The cruel deed was done, and the
actor tragicaliy sprang from the box
upon the stage, waved a dagger and
cried, '',Stc se'nper tyrannis," disap-
pearing before the audience recovered
from the first stunning effects.
! When Booth was captured his d.
airy was found beside him. He had J
kept a faithful record 10 the last mo !,
ment. This diary was deposited in
the Department of Justice, and is now
there. make the following ex-
tracts: a
"ApR1L 14.-Friday, the ides. Tn.
til to day nothing was ever thought
sacrificing to our country's wrongs.
For six months we had worked to
capture, but, our cause being almost
lost, something decisive and great
must be done. But its failure was
owing to others who did not strike
for their country with a heart. I
struck boldly, and not as the papers
say. / walked with q firm step
through thousand of his friends,
was stopped but pushed on. A Col
onel was at his side, / shouted SIC
semper 7 before fired. In jumping
broke my leg. passed all his pick
cts, rode sixty miles that night, with
the bone of my leg tearing the flesh
at every jump. I can never repent
it. Though we hated to kill, our
country owed all her. troubles to him
and God simply made me the instru-
ment of his punishment. The coun-
try is not what it was. This forced
Union is not what have loved. I
care not what becomes of me. I
have no desire to outlive my coun-
try. This night, before the deed, I
wrote long article and left it for
one Of the editors Of the National
Intelligencer, in which I fully set
our reasons for our proceedings.
Be or tue South.
Il
! FRIDAY, 2lst-After being hunted
like dog through swamps, woods,
and last night being chased by gun
boats till was forced to return, wet,
cold and starving, with every mans
hand against me, am here in de-
|spair. And for why? For doing
what Brutus was honored for-what
n a lie Tell a hero. And yet /, for
striking down greater tyrant than
they ever knew, am looked upon as
common cut throat. Ny act was
purer than either Of theirs. One
hoped to be great himself; the other
had only his country but his own
wrongs to avenge. / hoped for no
gain; knew no private wrong. I
struck for my country, and that
alone; a country groaned beneath
this tyranny and prayed for this end.
And yet, now behold the cold hand
they extend to me. God can not
pardon me if I have done wrong.
Yet | can not zee any wrong except
in serving degenerate people. The
little, the very little, / left b. hind to
clear my name the Government will
: not allow to be printed. So ends
all. For my country / have given
up all that makes life sweet and ho-
e ly. brought misery upon my family,
and am sure there is no pardon in
3 the heavens for.me since man con-
demns me so. I have only heard Of
!. what has been done Except what I
. did myself, and it fills me with hor-
: ror. God! try and forgive me, and
t bless my mother. Tonight will
once more try. tile river with the in
e tention to cross, though ! have a
g greater desire and almost mind to
d return to Washington and in a
e measure clear my name, which / feel
t. | can do. do not repent the blow
II l struck. I may before my God, but
l. not to man. l think I have. done
e well, though / am abandoned with
;e the curse of Cain upon me, when, i
l. the world knew my heart, that ont
n, blow would have made me great
ID though did desire no greatness
Of Tonight ! try to escape these blood
lie hounds once more. Who, who cal
w read his fate? Gods viii be done
m have too great soul to die like
" criminal. Oh! may he, may h
ty spare me that and let me die brave
re ly! / bless the entire world.
a have never hated or wronged an
he one. This just was not q wrong