The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-02
THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT LlNcOLN.*
The Last Scenes in the Life of the Greatest
American.
by THOMAS M'CURDY VINCENT.
Breret Brigadicr- General, U. S. Army.

NOW. III the presence Oh tuiS hohoi apiS
Association, l find the scene greatly
changed. The dreadful gloom has dis
appeared, for may it not be said, that
this commemorative meeting is more in
connection with the life of great man
than the occasion of his death. lie who
had consummated new birth of freedom
for the Nation. was himself born to a
new life. A me.odious birth song is bet
ter suited than a death song in connection
with this anniversary of the night when
great Luminary of History. with Its
eternal cffuigence, was transferred to
superior realm.
l had opportunities to study Abraham
Lincoln He frequently visited my office,
in the old War Department Building, IN
order to gain information relative to the
armies of the Union. He would appear
there. unattended, at an hour least sub
ject to interruption, and seating himself,
secure the information he desired Ihen:
if all things promised well, in cheerful
manner he would converse brightly. On
these occasions 1 found his great, kind
heart marked by sad earnestneSS, going
out 20 all the armies, through his words
of sympathy for the troops during their
battles and marches-nc alone to the
armies as a whole, but 20 individuals as
well.
I now hold in my hand an illustration
of his tender and sympathetic feelings III
individual cases.
A hayward son, through his dismissal
from the army, had brought deep grief
to his father, who appealed for clemency.
The case was fully considered with an
adverse result, when the father presented
himself to the President in the hope of a
re, ersai of the decision. The President
could not take favorable action, nor had
he the heart to turn the father away by
final negative reply. Accordingly he sent
me the following note:
II have promised the bearer
an interview with Maj. Vincent. Will
Mai. Vincent please see and hear him.
MAY %, 1868. A. LISCoLN.
explained the case fully to the father,
who then. in substance said: Il now
know the attentive consideration of Mr..
Lincoln in the midst of all his heavy
cares. | have his kind and considerate
final refusal through these papers. He
could not have done otherwise; may God
bless him."
THE PRESIDENTS INSPIRATION.
But above his interest in the armies
and his knowledge of them. his inspira-
ton, as Commander-in-C Chief, was present
Through his efforts battles were made
successful, and distinction was made to
crown Generals and others. His labors,
by day and by night, gave luster to the
vast armies. which from first to last num-
bered . 100 600 men, entrusted to his COM
mand by his devoted countrymen. Suhse-
quent to February, 1864, an Act of Con-
gress made his will the authority for rails
ing troops. a delicate and mighty power.
under which the volunteer forces were
soon increased to 1,034, 900, the largest
number in service at any one time. Dur
ing his four years of supreme command,
the earth shook with the tramp of armies;
events crowded rapidly; lurid flame of bat
tie arose-a period, as has been truly
said: '1of subversion and revolution, when
each hour brought new responsibility
to the great Commander-in-Chief.
SUBLIME SIMPLICITY OF CHARACTER.
My interviews with him impressed me
with the sublime simplicity of his char
acter. and the marked dignity of n noble
manhood Often have 1 associated with
him the words: ''Whose life was work,
whose language rife, with rugged max
inns hewn from life; who never spoke
against a foe."
His boyhood's ascent in life began in
the humble cabin, as he climbed at night
to his bed of leaves in the loft, by a
ladder of wooden pegs driven into the
logs" In later years his ascent was on
ward and upward, by the ladder of fame,
gaining at each round the esteem and
honor of his countrymen.
1t could not have been otherwise, when
we consider his eminent endowment with
the gifts and virtues of charity, humility,
meekness, patience, diligence, wisdom,
prudence. justice, and fortitude.
He added to his studies amid the rug
ged wilds of nature. ''1he Declaration
of s..tfanap1anaa tiQ n0nnQnHirym nf
political wisdom, the life of Washington
his constant study" And thus endowed,
and schooled, His scepter was as the
bow of Ulysses, which could not be drawn
by a weaker hand. He stood alone like
a beacon upon a waste, or rock in the
broad ocean,"
He who said, in old independence Hall,
that he had never had "a feeling, politi-
cally. that did not spring from sentiments
embodied in the Declaration of Independ-
ence. which gave liberty not alone to the
people of this country, but to the world
in all future Tine" and that if the coun-
try could not be saved without giving up
that principle, "he would rather be assas-
sinated on the spot than surrender it, he
who Travelled in the dead of night prior to
his Inauguration, to escape assassination,
was cut down by demoniac.
But while the assassin's hand removed
the mortal portion of Lincoln from this
life, it could not and did not touch
THE BEACON LIGHT.
which has continued its eternal radiation
as a guide for all peoples, in all ages.
On April IA, 1865, / had returned from
the War Department TO my house at
about 10 o'clock at night, and very soon
thereafter was informed by a cousin of
Mrs. Lincoln-Dr. Lyman Beecher Todd,
of Lexington, Ky.-that the President
had been assassinated, and the members
of his Cabinet attacked. | at once hur-
ried to the house of the Secretary of War,
and there found the family greatly
alarmed and excited; but the Secretary,
just prior to my arrival had started for
Mr.. Stewards residence. / followed, and
there learned that he had gone to the
scene of the tragedy on Tenth street; OH
reaching the locality l found him in this
house TO which the President had been re-
moved from Ford's Theater. l remained
here near the Secretary, and at his re-
quest, during the night. He was greatly
saddened, and referred TO the change OF
scene from that of the Cabinet meeting. a
few hours before, at which Gen. Grant
was present, when the state of the coun-
try and the prospect of a speedy peace
were discussed. He stated that the Pres.
ident during the meeting was hopeful and
very cheerful, and had spoken kindly OF
Gen Lee and other officers of the Con.