New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-01-11

LINCOLN AMONG THE NEGROES.

STRANGE PROCESSION.
Tho day after the fall Of Richmond President
LINCOLN expires ed desire TO visit the Confederate
Capital in the flsgshio Malvern. In anticipation
Of this event, by working day and night. had all
the distractions on the Jamos taken up and all the
torpedoes removed from the river bed
When the riyer was reported clear OF torpedoes
10 large number of which we're taken up), proceed
I'd up to Richmond In the Malvern with Pfesi-
Dent Lincoln on board. aad, notwithstanding the
Ercat cars that had besn taken TO clear out tne
James, | felt o great responsibility upon me.
Every vessel that got through the distractions
wished 10 be- the first ons mp, AM pushed aheai
with oil steam but they grounded one after an
other aud then my vessel, which had passed them
oil. also grounded.
took the President in my barge and with tug
ahead and file Of marines on board, we continued
on up 20 ths city.
hal never been to Richmond before by that
route and did not know where the landing wat
neither dbl the coxswain nor any OF the barses
crow. We ploi on. ho,inx to Sc, some one OF
whom we could inquire but no one was in sight.
The street along the river front deserted as
IL this had been city of th3 dead. Tho troops
had been in possession some hours, bat not
soldier was TO be seen.
The current was nov rushing past us over rocks
we could scarcely get ahead, anI finally ran on
rock.
Send for Colonel Bav," sand the President !;
che vii get You out of this"
"Nor said T. 1--WE don't want tho Colonel this
time can manage it," So backed out, and
pointed for the neares. landing.
There was a small house on this landing. and be-
hind 1t were some twelve negroes digging with
spades. Tho leader Of them was an old man sixty
years of ago. He raised himself to an upright posi-
ton as wo landed. and put his hands up TO his eyes
Then he dropped his spade and sprang forward.
"Bress de Lord" he said. "dere is do great
Messiah! know'd him a. sou as | seed him.
He's bin in my heart TO long veahs. an he's cum at
las to free his chilIun from deir bondagel Glory
halleuiah" And he fell upon his knees before the
President aud kissed his fo0t The others followed
his example and in minute Mr. Lincoln was sur
rounded by these people. who had treasured up tho
recollection of him caught from photograph and
had looked up to him for four years as the oae who
was to lead them out of captivity.
Ii was a touching sght-thit agei negro kneel-
ing at the feot of the tall auit-lookug man. who
seemed In himself to be bearing all the grief OF
the Nation, and whose sad face seemed to say. "
suffer for you ALL but will do all can to helpyou."
Mr.. Lincoln looked down on the poor creatures
at his feet: he was much embarrassed at his
position Don't kneel to ms," he said THAT is
not right. You must kleel to Col only. and thaak
Him for the liberty you WI hereafter enjoy. l
am but Coils humble instgamsut; but You may
rest assured that long rs live no one shall put
shackle on your lmbs aud yoI shall have all tho
rights which God has gwen to every other froo
citizen of this Republic"
HIS face was lit up with divine look rs he
uttered these words. Though not handsome
man, AMI ulg ,inly in his person. yet in his enthu-
siasm he seemed the persJliication of manly
beauty, and that sad face of his looked down in
kindness upon these ignorant BLACKS with grace
that could not be excelied. He really seemed OF
another world.
All thus scene was of brief daration. bnt, though
SIMPLE and humble affair, it Impressed ms more
than ANYTHING OF the kind ever witnessed.
1t was minute or two before cond Get tho ne
groes to rise and leave the President. The see nc
was so touching hated to DISTURB it. yet we cond
not STAY there all day, we had to move on, aud
requested the patriarch to withdraw from about
the President with his companions, and lei US pass
"Yes, Massa" said the old man. " but after bein'
20 many wears in de desert wId0ut water, it's
mighty pleasant to be lookin at las on our spring
Of life 'Scuse u.s. sir, means no disrcspec 10
Mass LincOln-Tye means all love and gratitude,
and then joining together in ring. the negroes
sang the following hymn with meodious and
touching voices only DOiso-sa-i ~ Ere negroes Of
tie Ss:..h:
The President and all of us listened respectfully
while the hymn was being sung.
Four minutes at most, had passed away since We
Hrst landed at point where as far as the eye could
reach the streets were entirely deserted-but now,
what different scene appeared as that HYMN weni
be suddenly alive with the colorcd race they
,eemed to spring from the earth. They cano
umbling and shouting from over the hills and from
the water side. where no one was seen As we had
The crowd Immediately became verv oppressive
We needed our marines to keep them Off ordered
Twelve of the boats crew to fix bavonets to their
rifles, and to surround tbs President (which was
done in a momeDt) but the crowd poured in so
foarfullv that I thought we all stood chance of
being crushed to death.
now realized the mprude1ce of laadin with
out large holy OF marines; and yet TINS ed
to me- after all, the ttest way for Mr.. Lincoln to
come among the people he had redeemed from
bondage.
What an ovation he had, to be sure. from those
so-caed ignorant beingsl They all had their
souls in their eyes. aud don't think ever looked
upon scene where there WOTo 50 many passion
While some we're rushing forward to try and
touch the man they had talked Of ana dreamed of
for four long years Others stood off a little way
and looked on in awe and wonder. Others turaed
and many yelled Tor Joy d Ha ah OF
way OF tcstifying their delight.
But could not stay there all day looking at
this happy mass of people; the crowds and their
be unab to move at all. The Negroes In their &C.
stacy. could not be made to understand that they
S% ,s them S 70
put the GROWING act to the great work he had
commence. They would not feel that they were
free in rcaiity until they hoard it from MS own
Al length he spoke he could not move for the
mass Of peop,e-he had to do something. "My
poor friends he said. you are free-free as air
You can cast off TIE name OF slave and trample
upon II 1t will come to yOu no more. Liberty is
your birthright. God gave il TO yOu as he gave 1T
to Others and ii is a SIN that YOU have teen de-
prved of 1t for 80 many years. But you must try
to deserve this priceless boon. Let the world see
that you uert 1t and are able to naintainit by
your good works. Don't LET your Joy carry you
into excuses; learn the laws and obey then; har-
Dor no lilo ling against those who held yOu III
BONDAGE obey Gods commandments and thank
Him for giving you liberty, for 10 Him yon owe all
things. There.now let mo pass on have but little
time 10 spare. | want TO gee tho capital and must
re,urn nj ouce In Washin ton eecurp Won that