Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-11-08
THE ASSIMILATION OF LINCOLN.
The Remarkable story Told by n
Southern Paper.

The Columbus, Ga, Enquirer IN of
Sunday last publishes, under. the head
"Uuwfitten Secret Iii tory" strange
story of the assassination Of President
Lincoln, which IL hot true is at least well
imagined. The story is represented AZ
having come from Tennessee gentleman
of unimpeached veraoity, who was before
aud during the war an official of the
United States government and who WAS
in Washington at the time that the Preei-
dsnt was shot. The salient points OF his
story are as follows:
Near the close of the war four old
friends, o! whom j. Wilkes Booth was
one, met in the city of Washington and
celebrated their reunion by jolly spree
which continued through whole day
and the following night. Just as they
prepared to separate, Booth asked:
"Well, boys, what are you going to do
and when will we meet again f''
81, for one,'' said the widest OF the
quartet, lam tired OF this dull town and
am going down to Richmond to see what
jeff and the rebs are doing"
The others tried to dIssuade him from
this trip and pointed out the dangers and
difficulties of crossing the lines but, in
a spirit OF drunken bravsdo, he told them
he was, sharp enough to look out for
himself.
Just prior to this time Secretary Stan
ton had administered a scathing rebuke
to Gen. Grant for the laxity which had
permitted the passage through his lines
OF so many spies and friends IF the rebel
cause. Smsrting under this rebuke the
hot,,n 80
vent repetition Of this laxity. When,
therefore, Booths friend, hardly reoov.
cred from his drunken spree, came blum.
dering along seeking an opportunity &c
cross over into Dixie, he was promptly
| captured, tried by drum head couf,
martial and condemned to be- shot as q
spy, and the finding OF the court waf
forwarded to the President for approval.
Booth heard of this and, seeking the
| President, implored him on his Bonded
knees and with all the rare elouuenoe oil
which he was master, TO spare his friend
assuring the President of his LOYALTY and
attribnting his reckless behavior to til,
fever Of his late debauoh. Overcome by
the entresties of Booth, Mr.. LincolI
promised at length to do this.
| When Mr.. Lincoln informed his cati
net, that day, that he had decided Il
disapprove the finding of the cour
martial, perfect storm arose. Score
taries Stanton and Seward were partiou
larry and vehemently opposed to sucl
action and protested that they would mo-
be parties to such ''ohild's play" but
would resign their portfolios at ono,
unless the President reoonsidered hi
determination.
moments thought and MIR. Lincoln
wrote approved" across the papers
| saying "Gentlemsu, own it: / CAV,
my promise in moment of weakness
The army must be protected. !"
Early next day Booth heard OF this anC
hurryiug to Vice President JohDson'i
office, sent up his card ON which wa,
written 81 must see you and at once. ,
This card was found on the office tlooi
after the death OF Lincoln. Mr.. johnson
saw Booth and told him of the proceed
Jugs in the cabinet meeting and that hi
friend had been shot at sunrise.
Booth left the Office broken hearted
mat, and meeting his two remainin,
friends went to the same room their lat,
frolic had been held in they sadly dis
cussed the fate OF their lAte friend, anC
heartily condemued the psrfdy of Mr.
Lincoln in breaking his promise. At last
inhaIned with wine aud passion, thei
feelings changed from SORROW at his los
to revenge on those who urged his death
aud solemn compact was entered int
between those three to svenge the loss .
their late companion. The plan was sooi
perfected, the time to he thai night
their escape to be TO the southern lines
One was to take Stanton, one Seward, an,
Booth selected Lincoln as his victim, il
revenge for his broken promise.
That night the sick room OF Seward
was entered, aud, in the presence of til
son, murderOns attack was made OF
him in bed, and not until father and soi
bore marks Of the deadly knife was tn
assassin secured. StantOn's absence fron
the city alone prevented the attempt OF
him and his possible death, while the r.
port OF the pistol in Ford's Theatre tina
night brought to his grave the Presiden
and changed the political aspect of til
then nearly oOEquerpd South.