The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-01-15
PRESIDENT LINCOLN IN RICHMOND.

Admiral d. D. Porter has begun a series
of articles which, if the opening one is a
fair sample Of the whole, will awaken in
| tense and widespread interest. They are to
be published simultaneously in a number
Of papers, by syndicate. The first article
tells in most wildly interesting way OF
Immediately after the fall of the rebel CAPT
| tai. Admiral Porter took him up the
James-previously working several days
and nights to clear the river of torpedos-
in the flag ship Malvern" until the vessel
ran aground. Then he took the President
in his gig, with a squad of marines, and,
preceded by tug, continued up to the city.
The description of the scene at landing is
particularly fine:
There n small house on this landing, and be-
hind it We're some IL negroes digging with spades.
The leader of them was old man GO years of age.
He raised himself to an upright position as we
landed, and put his hands up to his eyes Then he
dropped his spade and sprang forward.
Dress de Lord" he said, "dere is de great Mes
siah! know'd him as seed him. He's
bin in my heart TO long yeahs an he's cum at las
to free his chillun from DER bondage Glory hal
lelujah," And he fell upon his knees before the
President and kissed his feet. The others followed
his example and, in a minute, Mr.. Lincoln was
surrounded by these people, who had treasured up
the recollection of him caught from photograph,
and had looked up TO him for four years the one
who was to lead them out OF captivity.
1t was touching sight-that aged negro knecl-
ing at the feet OF the tall gaunt looking man, who
seemed, in himself, to be bearing all the grief of
the Nation, and whose sad face seemed to say, =" L
suffer for you all. but will do all 1 can to help
you.'
Mr.. Lincoln looked down on the poor creatures
at his feet; he was much embarrassed at his posi-
ton. DON'T kneel to me- he said. THAT is
not right You must kneel to God only, and thank
him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy / am
but Gods humble instrument; but you may rest
assured that long as / live shall put q
shaellle your limbs, and you shall have all the
rights which God has given to every other free
citizen of this Republic
His face was lit up with divine look as he ut
tered these words. Though not handsome man,
and ungainly in his person, yet in his enthusiasm
he seemed the personiiication of manly beauty,
and that sad face of his looked down in kindness
upon these ignorant blacks with a grace that could
not be excelled. He really seemed of another
world.
An immense throng soon surrounded the
little party, all gazing with wonder at the
homely face that doomed up above every
head in the crowd.
Our progress very slows we did not move n
mile hour, and the crowd was still increasing.
Many poor whites joined the number, and sent up
their shouts with the rest We were nearly half
an hour getting from abreast of Libby Prison to
the edge of the city. The President stopt mo-
nent 10 look the horrible Bastile, where so
many Union soldiers had dragged out dreadful
lie.
I'VE viii pull il DOWN." cried the crowd. seeing
where his look FELL
No. he said, leave II monument"
He did not say monument to what but he
meant am sure, to leave it a monument to the
loyalty of our soldiers who would bear all the hor-
rors of Libby sooner than desert their flag and
cause.
After number of very interesting expe-
riences the Admiral became very solicitous
of getting his distinguished charge back to
the Malvern" before nightfall. His anxi-
ties were well founded, for shortly after dark
two attempts were made to get on the NAL
vern," one of which he feels confident was
made by John Wilkes Booth.