Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-07-21

dark and terrible hour. What might
come next no one could tell, and men
stood with bated breath. The wrath of
the worklngmen was simply uncontrol
liable, and revolyers and knives were in
the hands of thousands of Lincoln's
friends, ready at the first opportunity
to take the law into their own hands
and avenge the death of the martyred
President upon any and all who dared
to utter word against him.
"Eieven O'Clock A NJ. was the hour
set for the rendezvous. Fifty thou
sand people crowded around the Ex-
change Building, cramming aud jam
ming the streets, aud wedged in tight
as men could stand together. With a
few to whom special favor was ex-
tended, L went over from Brooklyn at
nine A. NJ, and, even then, with the
utmost difficulty, found way to the re-
ception room for the speakers in the
front OF the Exchange Building, and
looking out upon the high and massive
balcony whose front was protected by a
heavy iron railing, We sat In solemnity
and siiense, waiting for Gen. Butler,
who, it was announced, had started
from Washington and was either already
in the city, or expected every moment.
Nearly a hundred generals, judges,
statesmen, lawyers, editors, clergymen
aud others, we're IN that room awaiting
Buffers arrival. We stepped out TO
the balcony to watch the fearfully SOL
en,n and swaying mass of people. Not
a hurrah was heard, but for the most
part dead silence, or q deep ominous
muttering ran like a rising wave up the
street toward broadway, and again
toward the river on the right.
"At length the batons of the police
were seen swinging in the air, far up to
the left, parting the crowd and pressing
it back to make way for a carriage that
moved slowly and with difficult jogs,
through the compact multitude. Sud
denly the silence was broken and the
cry of Butler. Butler! Butler,' rang
out with tremendous and thrilling effect,
and was taken up by the people. But
not hurrah! Not one, 1t was the
cry Of a great people, asking to know
how their President died. The blood
bounded in our veins, and the tears ran
like streams down our faces. How it
was done forget, but Butler was
pulled through, and pulled ap, and en-
tered the room, where we had Just
walked back to meet him. A broad
Grape, yard long, hung from his left
arm-terrioie contrast with the count
less flags that we're waving the nations
victory in the breeze. We first zeal
lied then the truth Of the sad news that
Lincoln was dead. When Butler en-
tereu the room We shook hands. Some
spoke, some couldn't. All we're tears.
The only word Butler had for Us all at
the FIRST break OF the silence was Sen
tlemen, be died in the fullness of his
famen and as be spoke his lips quiv-
cred, and the tears ran down his cheeks.
"Then, after a few moments came
the speaking. And you can imagine
the effect. as the Grape futtered in the
wind, while his arm was uplifted. Dick
inson, of New York State, was nearly
wild. The old man leaped over the
iron railing of the balcony and stood
on the very edge overhangipg the crowd,
gesticulating in the most vehement
manner, and next thing to bidding the
crowd 'burn up the rebel, seed, root
and branch while bystander held on
to his coat tails to keep him from falling
over. By this time the wave of popu-
lar indignation had swclled to its crest.
Two men lay bleeding on one Of the
side streets, the one dead, the other
next to dying one on the pavement,
the other in the gutter. They had said
moment before that 'Lincoln ought to
have been shot long ago. They were
not allowed to say it again. Soon two
long pieces of scantling stood out above
the heads of the crowd, crossed at the
top like the letter X, and a looped halt
er pu..1ent from the Junction, dozen
men following lis slow motion through
the masses, while Vengeance was
the cry.
"On the right, suddenly, the shout
rose, sThe Woridr sIhe Worldr sThe
Office of The Woridr 'Rorldt Woridr
and a movement of perhaps eight or
ten thousand turning their faces in the
direction Of that building began to be
executed. 1t was a critical moment.
What might come no one could tell,
did that crowd get in front of that Of
fee. Police aud military would have
availed little or been too late. A tel
egram bad just been read from Wash
ington, Seward is dying just then,
at that juncture. man stepped forward
with small flag in bis hand, and beck
oned to the crowd. sAnother telegram
from Washington And then, in the
awful stiffness Of the crisis, taking ad-
vantage of the hesitation of the crowd,
whose steps had been arrested a mo-
ment, night arm was lifted skyward.
and veice clear and steady, loud and
distinct, spoke cut: Fellow citizens.
Clouds and darkness are round a5ou.
Him. His pavilion Is dark waters and
thick clouds Of the skies Justice and
Judgment are the establishment of His
throne Mercy and truth shall 60 be-
lore His'fsce Fellow citizens God