The Washington herald., 1909-02-07
Extracts from the Diary OF Alex
ander Del Mar.


ander Del Mar.
,CopyTisht. lses. By the Chicago Tribune}
I commenced TO keep a diary after my
return home from England IN IS54. but
It vas not untI about the time when I
cast my vote for Abraham Lincoln jas
President that the entries began 70 De OF
public interest. This was my first vote,
for I was not quite Of age in the pre-
ceding campaign. and I am happy now
10 recall that voted for so good and
great man. Let the youth Of the pres
ent day think over this fact and guard
well their suffrages that although half 3
century has since rolled away. citizen
has cause 10 stHl remember with pride
and emotion the vote he cast for Presi-
dent OF the United States
When the war took place I fitted out
several hundred Union volunteers al my
own expense. the offer 10 that effect ap-
pearing in the New York Herald Of
april, 1851. Being physically Incapable
Of bearing arms. though I was anxious
and offered 20 do so, devoted my ener-
gies TO the cause Of the Union and the
discussion OF patriotic questions Among
my earliest efforts was a pamphlet en-
titled Gold Money and Paper Money
Il was this book that furnished the occa-
sion Of an interview with Mr. Lincoln.
This occurred IN the midsummer OF 1853.
The President received me kindly and
took notice Of two passages in the book
which had some bearing on subsequent
events. One passage alluded 10 those
higher passions Of our nature which lead
us TO see fame only in the happiness and
prosperity OF our country. The other
was There are higher motives with
which to appeal 10 the ambition or even
interest Of an eXecuIive-motveS that eX-
hibit 10 him the glorious destiny Of be
ing regarded the saviOus OF his country,
TIRE protector OF her liberties and the
preserver OF her fame" almost a fore
cast OF Lincoln's subsequent enshrine-
ment In the hearts OF his c0untrynlen-
During the same year. upon being intro
duCed to Secretary Chase. as the author
OF the papers subsequently, published IN
q pamphlet called the Paper Bubble "a
protest against excessive issues OF green
backs, he laughed good naturedly and
remarked that the articles contained al
least one principle worthy Of elabora-
tion-namely: that under the influence OF
not respond simultaneously, but in a sort
of rotation or procession. governed by the
relative importance and marketabiliJy Of
the articles affected Acting upon this
suggestion. I published an elaborate
treatise on the subject. All Of these works
sre long since out Of print and forgot
zen, although copies Of them are still 10
De found in some OF the public libraries
NJ Sexard.~ F,Sra1e
A few days after the surrender OF Gen.
Lee at AppomRttox Court House. the kind
hearted President was stricken down by
The hand Of one assassin, and both MT.
Seward and bis son were terribly wound
ed by another. the design having been 20
also kin the Vice President. Andrew
johnson, and 50 cripple the administra-
Uou. but through some chance the latter
escaped. Six sr seven years sfterward
while sitting with Secretary Seward upon
the back porch OF his residence IN Wash
lEgton, 7 asked him 10 show me his
wound He exhibited a ghastly cicatriz
extending from the right ear downward
almost 10 the collar bone That he was
not killed outright was almost miracle
yet bis vitality was SO great that he re-
them fingered for a long time under the
anxious care Of the surgeon general
The assassination Of the President
threw the country into the greatest con-
fusion Gen Johnston had not yet sur-
rendered Gen Dick Taylor in the South
and Gen. Kirby Smith in the transmits
sissippi. were still in arms. and nothing
but the prompt and decided action Of
President Johnson prevented a recru-
descence Of the desperate struggle He
was at once swOTn into Office as Presi-
dent, making his headquarters in the
Treasury Building. from whence he
promptly issued several important procla-
nations as President and c0mmander-in-
chief % the army and navy. One prOcla-
nation expressed his detestation Of the
great crime that had been committed
and his stern determination 10 PURSUE
and punish its authors. e promise which
he kept 10 the letter. Another one offer
I'd z reward Of 100000 for the apDTehen-
sion Of the criminals Another one re-
lated I'd the operations Of the armies,
and still another 10 the Union navy and
the Confederate pTivateers-
Delegations from Illinois. Ohio. New
Y 1Ork-indeed, from almost every State in
The CniOn-visited him from day 10 day,
=
the country. al anxious to obtain as
surances in sympathy with the excited
state Of the nation and 10 hear from his
lips the course he intended to pursue.
These assurances We're most ample and
satisfactory
Trying Crisis.
The delegations applauded the Presi-
dents remarks, especially where he en-
phasized his determination 10 punish the
authors Of the assassination. and the
press almost universally declared that Mr..
johnson at a most trying crisis had faith
fully reflected the wishes OF the people
and borne himself with great dignity,
propriety. and credit II was over and
over again boasted that IN those clauses
OF the Constitution which provided for
the assumption OF the Presidential Office
by the Vice President, in case Of the
death OF the former. the fathers Of the
republic had made the best possible pro-
vision for such a calamity as that which
had befallen the country. Mr.. Johnson s
election 70 the Vice Presidency as a
Union Democrat, his experience as the
Union governor or Tennessee. and the
retention OF Mr. LincOln'S Cabinet Just
as his death bed had left It were re-
gsrded as sufficient assurances that the
new President would continue the same
policy toward the Southern States as
his predecessor. the policy Of treating
them stil as States. but OF only recOg-
nizing as citizens OF such States those
who had remained true 20 the flag.
That such was Mr.. Lincoin's policy Is
placed beyond controversy by his procla-
nation Of December s. 1859, In which he
announces his willingness TO recognize
any loyal government which may be
set up in the South By as many as one
tenth the voters OF 1861. and in his mes
sage TO Congress IN which he proposed 8
definite plan Of reconstruction on the
basis Of amnesty. an oath Of future 10y
sifv and the exclusion of ev-SaCeSSionfs@s