Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-03
APPOMATTOX.

II was never drunk but once in my life,"
aid my friend, the ex-conRressman, "and
that was the night we received the news
hat Lee had surrendered to Grant was
1t Columbus, Ohio, on that day, and a we'll
tnown Sunday school organizer and myself
went over to Governor Brougb's Office to
earn il he had any news from Grant. The
governor had telegraph instrument in his
,ffice, and those Of US on the inside often
vent there at night to get the latest war
news.
ave met stout old Governor Brough in
the hall, coming toward US with a quicker
Itep than was his won't He slowed up
when he saw us, and to our demand for
news said quietly There is very lttle,'
ae said brusquely and with simulated inn
patience, but there was an after tr,mble to
lis voice and q something in his eye that
,aused me to clutch his arm with one hand
and get ready to swing my hat with tho
,thsr The old governor dropped his
brusqueness and said with heavy tender
ness Of tone, There l. very little news. but
It is overwhelming good
@After tantalizng Us for minute hs said
plainly that Grant and Leo had had little
ialk. and that the latter had agreed to
Grants terms Of surrender. There we're
around Brough at that minute six or eight
Nber-minded, self-possessed gentlemen, but
after one screech in chorus they were wilder
than any boys l ever saw. They danced
and screamed and whooped, AMI then ssiz-
ing the governor, literally carried him back
10 his office for more news.
"When We left the streets they had q Sab
bathday quietness. When We came out after
he few minutes spent in the capitol they
we're alive with people. Men, women and
children seemed to have rushed like mad
nto the rainy night. The church bells were
,langing, and everyb body was shouting and
.inging. 1t seemed incredible that in 80
short time the whole population should
have received notice Of the surrender, but
such news Travelled rapidly.
"They put Governor Brough on pils Of
brick in the middle Of tho street, and he
,poke in the rain. Then the members Of the
legislature and Others won't to the Neil
house for q jollihcation. drank q good
ieal in sheer absent-mindeinsss, as did my
Sunday school friend. After time Istsrted
10 20 up tairs to bed, and was dumbfoundsd
10 discover that my feet wouldn't take me up
with the usual skipping step. My legs below
the knees doubled up In the most absurd
kept experimenting until it flashed across
my mind that was tipsy."
"That was q grand night" put In an ex-
army officer. N was there myself but was
Intoxicated only with tho wild spirit Of re-
joicing. remember that while Governor
Brough was speaking from the brick pile in
the street 1t bes an to rain hard. The gov
Srnor had taken of his hat, and stood 10
near that could hear the drops spattsr on
Is bald head, and could SEQ the splashinx
litter in the lamp-lisht The people shouted
10 the governor to put on his hat. but with a
voice husky with emotion he replied, No,
not in such nignt' He was glad to stand
uncovered on such night, and In the hum.
bleness Of q drenching thank God for His
goodness to the land and the people.
"lnstantly every head In that tremendous
crowd was uncovered, and with one voice
they sung, Praise God from whom all blsss-
ings how.' lam not an impossible person.
but ! never before realized what exalted
meant can see now that scene In the rain,
the drops splashing ON . hundred bald,
venerable heads. tears Of gladnsss In thou
ssnds OF faces, but never expect to feel
again the thrill that swept owe! me when
", 600 voices swellsd to magnificent volume
the words Of the doxology. l never knew
the full meaning Of the words and music
1ntil that night, and ! have lived on q
higher plane and with more faith In human
ity since that experience. Those were times
that brought out all that there was in q
| nan"