New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-17

"Well, II | can visit Richmond within a week,
will remain. | guess they can get alcng with
out me In Washington a week longer The most
of the work seems 10 be down this way Just now
anyhow replied the President, with a touch Of
dry humor and scttllnc back in his chair. as il
relieved by the decision 10 stay. They were 1t
the headquarters and several staff officers present
recalled this half-jc,ting conversation few days
later. and referred TO their Chiefs words "a tho
old mans prophecy
Five days later the Stars ard Stripcs noltcd
Richmond. and the following day the Prcsi
dent visited the Confederate Capital II was
from little girl the President received the first
token of peace She was younger than Tad and
came in with bunch Of flowers in her hand
In shy way the Child looked from one 10 an
other without speaking. Then she looked up AZ
the President with a wistiul half-tmid gaze
and, meeting his answering smile, stepped for
ward and placed the flowers in HIS hand. She
had unconsciOusly chosen white flowers. on
blcnatic of that peace which happily WAS soon 20
bless the land Every one felt the swccncs, Of tho
little girls welcome, and the President. who was
much touched by il, putting his hand gently on
her head, hen, down AID kissed her. Then, turn
Ing 10 the officers, as his sad face grew bright
for the moment he said This is the first token
Of peace. and sincere one, too"
On SATURDAY., the dav fixed for lis return
10 WASHINGTON the President accompanied by
Mrs Lincoln, visited the hospitals at City Point
Their presence caused much enthusiasm. the Ger
,ainty of Leo, surrender having already had ~
cheering effect. The evening crowds gathered al
the wharf u see the President of, AMI "a" RIVER
Queen moved out while IN" bands played soldiers
chccrcl and flags were Tying. Mr. Lincoln stood
on the deck howins ard smiling his g1od-by. ard
the ladies waved their Landkrrcniefs I'll Cty Point
was lost 10 sight III the darkness. lhe fT'sl-
dent was in good spirits such 81 'flo's results ia"
been achieved during his two weeks AT TIE lr"h'
that DESPITE the onXcty and the tremendous STRAIN
upon him, hc was going back to Washington
rested by the change His humor showed iHcl'
in several amusing stories, iold IN his hipPr''
vein. The next day, rs the party s' on DECK inc
,o.1crs of fine rebellion were discussed, and III"
probabilities Of Daviss capture led I" IN" question:
,yhotbcr no could. after all, be tried Tor treason
well" said Mr.. Lincoln. settling DAN III HIS
chair and Looking smilingN ont on the water
that reminds me Of the boy and the coon
once SAW in Illinois was going down to my
office one morning when | saw boy sitting on
the sidewalk just outside Of a gate lie had
small COON which he held by rope round It's
neck. The boy was crying and ]. OF cours'
stoppc,l and asked what WAS the matter MIsi'r'
he answered. wIpng his tears of with his sleeve
do Won SEQ that coon there" ! said did
We'll. mister. DO you see that rope he asked.
Again | replied in the Affirmative, when he sald
still sobbine: Now, Mister, that coon has been
gnawing that rope to get away I've pc'h
watching him all the morning. and Mister, I'm
doesed if dent wish the rascal would just gnnw
thr Jugh and GO
Tad. who was sitting by his father, asked with
eager interest oh, father. why didn't he put
a chain Oh the coon? chain would hold
COON
We'll, Tad replied the President. IL guess
the boy hadn't any chain" Then turning 10
the laughing group before lin, Mr.. Lincoln added
Now. it's question whether wc have law that
would hold JEFF. Davis If we haven't it would
be less trouble to let him just gnaw through
and 90"
The President arrived in Washington at 6
D. m. and found at the White House dispatch
from General Grant telling him Of the surrender
The news had already gone out from the War
Department, and the city was trembling with JOY Gus
excitement On Monday morning all business
was suspended, and before noon the rejoicing
reached the highest pitch Of enthusiasm all over
the CITY, as il did 9hout the North wherever
the wires had flashed the report. Jerks left
their desks in the various departments ny common
Mansion, where they sang Old Hundred ana the
Star Spangled Banner Then going over 10 the
War Building they sang Rally Round the Flag"
ill Secretary Stanton appeared, bringing out
General IIalccS to make Il speech. Mr.. Stanton
had, at 10 o'clock the night before, issued an
order for the firing VT salutcs 1T all army head
quarters, departments and the Military Academy
at West Point.
As the crowd increased at the White IIOus' IA
band of music was added The President came
out and made some remarks. saying he would rc
serve his speech tp the evening fixed for formal
celebration, then in a facctiOus tone said
see you have u band Of music with you. ] have
always drought that Dixie was one Of tine hes;
tunes ever heard. Our advcrsarrs over the way
know have attempted to appropriate il. but !
insist that yesterday fairly captured il. ! re-
fcrrcd the question to The Attorney General. and
hc gave it as lis legal opinion that it il now our
property. ask the band to favor us with
Dixie this morning"
Tie band at once struck up Dixie amid the
laug liter and cheers Of the people, On Friday
morning Robert Lincoln arrived from City Point
and went directly homo to the Executive Mansion.
where he took breakfast with his father. The
President wished his son to adopt the profession
Of law, and that morning talked with him on
plans for his future The young man then decided
study of law. Robert Lincoln had gone as a