Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-05-15
GENERAL sINGLEToNs PASS.
A Memorial Of Lincoln-A Peace Messen-
ger stopped by Linooln's Death.

ger stopped by Linooln's Death.
A daughter If the late General James
". Singleton has a card which is his
torically Of great interest 1t is pass
written By President Lincoln late on
April 10, 1868, and is more than prob
ably the last pass that he ever wrote.
The war was practically ended. Lee,
with his scared and battered lCgions, y
awaited the end that was swiftly ap-
preaching. The surrender was ques-
ton Of time Weary Of bloodshed,
with malice toward none, with char
itv for all, " Mr.. Lincoln, in the inter
ests Of peace, had summoned to his aid
General James W. Singleton Ct Quincy,
Ills, a Virginian by birth, and person
ally known to prominent men Of the
Confederacy. and also intimately asSo-
ciated with the president in his western
home.
Already he had made several trips to
Richmond, unofficially Of course, and
there was a chance that the negotiations
would bear good fruit, and tend to a
speedy and peaceful adjustment Of many
questions by making both sides better
acquainted with each other.
At General Singleton's request Mr..
Lincoln had given him letter stating
in substance that if Virginia or any OF
the southern states would recognize the
authority of the United States and elect
senators and members Of congress, such
senators and members Of congress would
be entitled to take their seats.
"Mr. President" said General Sim
gleton, referring to this letter, when !
90 south l shall be asked how your
promise in this letter can consistently
stand alongside Of your emancipation
proclamation. What shall tell them!"
Singleton, said Mr.. Lincoln, 81
have explained and will now say again,
that / have issued that proclamation.
and if it have any legal effect have no
power to reach it. If it have not any
legal effect, it is Of no consequence. /
would not take it back if could, and /
could not if l would.
Thus briefly was summed up Mr..
Lincoln's estimate Of that proclamation
that changed the destinies Of millions
of people.
He continued: "My duty is simply
to enforce the laws l want to see these
states and all these people come back
and submit to the constitution, and then
my duty is done. / am the executive
part Of the government, and when !
have enforced the laws the other de-
partments will relieve me Of all respon-
sibility."
On April Ii he instructed General
Singleton to assure the people Of Vir-
ginia that he would favor the return OF
the state into the Union with her gov
eminent intact, and the same ON the
part Of the seeded states.
II cannot do everything at once" he
said "for am impeded by the fact that
everything il under martial law at the
present time. wish you TO go again
Immediately to Richmond and reassure
the people. "
Mr.. Usher, secretary Of the interior,
was pItstht AT WIS iHtefttN anu wa
to accompany General Singleton to
Richmond. They took leave of the presi-
dent and went out together.
Later in the evening going to join
Governor Yates Of Illinois and other
friends, with whom they were TO make
party for supper, they were met on
the threshold with flying rumors Of the
assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln at FOrds
theater.
Thus were Mr. Lincoln's last words
those Of peace and kindness
Recognizing the value Of that memen-
to Of the time. General Singleton order
ed a case of gold, in one compartment
of which, under glass, is the card with
its significant date New York Sun.