The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-01-17
BOOTHS DIARY.
IHE LAST. WORDS WRITTEN BEFORE HE SHOT
LINCOLN.

IHE LAST WORDS WRITTEN BEFORE He SHOT
LINCOLN.
BALrInoRE, January 6.-The american
received tonight from its Washington cor
respondent the following extract from J.
Wilkes Booths diary, found in his clothing
after his death. Ii is now in possession of
khe department of justice:
"April 14-Friday, the Ides. Until to-
day nothing was ever thought of sacrificing
70 our country's wrongs. For six months
we have worked to capture, but our cause
( being almost lost, something decisive and
great must be done. But its failure was
owing to others, who did not strike for their
country with heart. / struck boldly, and
not as the papers say, 1 walked with firm
step through thousand of his friends, was
stopped, but pushed on. A colonel was ut
his side. l shouted sic semper before
fired. In Jumping broke my leg. passed
oil his pickets. Rode sixty miles that night
with the bone of my leg tearing the flesh at
every jump. l can never repent it.. Though
we hated to kill, our country owed NIL her
\ troubles to him, and God simply made me
the instrument Of his punishment
The country is not what it was This
reed union is not what l have loved.
re not what becomes of me. i have no
Bire to outliye my country. The night
ore the deed l wrote long article and
it for one of the editors of the National
Higencer, in which l fully set out our
sons for our proceeding. He or the
th.
riday, 2l.-Aftcr being hunted like a
through swamps, woods, and last night
chased till was forced to return, wet
and starving, with every mans hand
nst me, i am here in despair; and for
Z For doing what Brutus was honoredL
rat made Tell hero; and yeisr1v~CsS
!. ---~", .lmSlooKed upon as dScommon
throat. My act was purer than either of
RS. One hoped to be great himself. the
'eenershad not only his country's, but his
own wrongs to avenge. hope for no gain.
/ knew no private wrong. l struck for my
country, and that alone-a country ground
\beneath this tyranny-and prayed for this
|end. And yet, now behold the cold hand
they extend to me.
"God cannot pardon me if | have done
wrong. Yet cannot see any wrong, except
In serving a degenerate people The little,
the very little. left behind to clear my name
the Government will not allow to be printed.
80 ends oil. For my country l have given
up oil that makes life sweet and holy, brought
misery upon my family, and am sure there
is no pardon in the heavens for me since man
condemns me so.
al have only heard what has been done
with horror. God try and forgive me, and
bless my mother. Tonight will once more
The river with the intention to cross,
Oh havea greater desire and almost
+ return to Washington and in
ffe clear my name, which | feel l can
DO not repent the blow l struck
|efore my Col, but not to man. think
Re done we'll, though | am abandoned,
Nj the curse of Cain upon me, when, if the
Rorld knew my heart, that one blow would
have made me great, though l did desire no
greatness.
"To-night TRY to escape these bloodhounds
once more. Who can read his fate? Gods
will be done. have too great soul to die
like criminal. Oh, may lie, may lIe
spare mo that, and let me die bravcly. |
bless the entire world. | have never hated
or wronged any one. This last was not a
wrong, unless God deems it so, and it is
with him to damn or bless me.
And for this brave boy Harold with me,
-Bho often prays (yes, before and since) with
a true and sincere heart-was it crime in
himi If so, why can he pray the same? ]
do NIT wish to shed q drop of blood, but
-ppsA light the course. ,Ts al that's left