Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-02-19

HlSTORY fREVlEWED-HOW LINCOLN
MET HIS DEATH. ''1
MRS. E. E. Briggs l(-OliyiarD in Phila. Weekly
rfsi la - Times.l
A glorious spring day followed the
news of General Lees surrender. The
capital became vast stage, with all the
actors imbued with popular frenzy and
excitement. The air was filled with Joy
and glad tidings because the people real
lied the long, cruel war was substantial
~ over. The streets were alive with CAV
throngs of iubilant, enthusiastic, men,
and most prominent were the soldiers of
both contending sides, attired III blue
and gray. By some Of those means known
to the fortunes of war, a large number Of
paroled COnfederates in their ragged uni
forms were to be seen fraternizing with
the 'hoys In blue" They were noticed
lounging through the Capitol grounds
and public gardens, apparently keeuly
alive to the enjoyment, of the spring
flowers -these loving harbingers ofpeace
and home. In the heart of Washington,
where two streets intersect, pump with
a dipper attached to its neck, might be
seen. A Confederate filled the rusty cup
from the delicious fountain, held it out
at chains length to q soldier.whose en- pity
o1AO olCVSO was HAhACu W
Reconciliation, forgiveness and hope
permeated the living mass, and the di.
vine elixir stepped the whole city in iov.r
At eleven o'clock the same dag President
Lincoln called Especial Cabinet meeting
in honor of General Grant, who had lust
arrived from the battlefield of Appomat-
tox with the terms of General Lees sur.
render. A reminisoence of this Cabinet
meeting is given to the public for the
first time, as it now exists in the mind
of the Hon. Frederick w. Stuart, our
present Assistant Secretary of State, who
occupied the same official position at that
time that de does to-day. He attended
this historical session of the Cabinet to
represent the late Hon. William HI. Sew
ard, who was lying dangerously ill at his
residence from fractures received by
being violently thrown from his car
riage. Mr.. Seward says: % H10t .sW
l recall the recOllections of the day of
the sensation. 1t was general holiday
in the city. The people were celebrating
the surrender Of General Lee. was in
the chamber where my late father lay al
most unconscious from severe physical
pain. ln the morning messenger arriv.
ed from the White House, saying there
would be special meeting of the Cabi-
net at eleven O'Clock, to meet Generar
Grant and hear the statement of the sur.
render from him in person. As near as T
can, remember, Hon. Gideon Wells, one
of the members of the Cabinet who was
present, has given avery perfect account
of what transpired in a late magazine
article. All the Cabinet officers were
there, and all eager to hear what Gem
eral Grant had to say, and then follow
ed general discussion on reconstruct
ton. President Lincoln seemed to ad-T
dress most of his conversation to Secre-
tary Stanton, who had brought with
him manuscript of memoranda and
notes in regard to the method of recon.
struction. remember the recognition
OF Virginia was decided at that meeting,
and the other States were left in order
to hear from General Sherman. Irecall
more vividly than anything else con-
nected with the meeting Mr.. Lincoln's
glowing face of approval when he said
to General Grant, ''What terms did you
make with the common soldiers p" "I
told them to go back to their homes !'r
have no words to express the kind
feeling which prevailed in that Cabinet
meeting. Had the enemy been the chill
dren of Mr.. Lincoln he could have
shown no warmer desire to welcome
them all home. At the close of the
meeting the President said to Gen. Grant
that he was going to the theatre, and
laughingly added, he twas going to have
little celebration of his own, !" and ask
ed General Grant to be present. I then
asked the President what time it would
be agreeable for me to present the new
English Minister, Sir Frederic Bruce
He paused moment in thought, and
then replied, Tomorrow, at O'clock"
then smiling in his own peculiar way
ne said Don't forget the speeches,
Fred!' We separated at that moment.
and that was the last 1 ever. saw Of
President Lincoln. l,i bol7