The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-10

In the strange, appealing life story Of
Abraham Lincoln, no chapter is filled
| with deeper human interest than that
which terminated in his last journey, or
April and .. 1856, from City Point, or
the James River. to Washington, where
he was to meet his death at the hands
Of an assassin.
This period Of Lincoln's life showed his
greatness under tho supreme test of vic
/ tory. He had seen Lees army driven
from the trenches Of Petersburg with
Grant In pursuit: had walked the
smoking streets of captured Richmond
had visited the late official residence OF
Jefferson Davis-and when common men
were joyous. he mourned the cost In
blood Of the Federal triumph. With the
Union safe he longed to see a quick end
to the final acts Of strife.
In his craving for peace. and news
from Grant that the end had been &C
complished by the capture OF Lees
army, he had tarried several days after
the fall of Richmond at Grants base on
the James.
Here his heart went out to all about
him who were suffering. Tenderness for
the thousands of soldiers of both sides
"a the military hospitals at City Point
radiated from him. On his last day
there he walked the hospitals five hours
without rest. and in that time shook
hands with not less than 5000 wounded
soldiers.
To guest who expressed the hope
that Jefferson Davis. II taken. would be
hanged. he replied by quoting phrase
from his second inaugural address: Let
us Judge not. that we be not Judged"
Gan adaptation Of Matthew. viiI)
Thinks of Boyhood Days.
Lincoln's stay at City Point. from
March "a to April s. constituted his
longest absence from Washington since
his arrival there from his home in
Springfield. H.. in February. 1861, to pre-
pare for his Inauguration.
Mrs. Lincoln and their young son
Thomas c'TadD had gone with him to
City Point; had returned to Washington.
and on April 8 had rejoined him with a
party Of guests, including Senator
Charles Sumner. Of Massachusetts. and
the Marquis de Chambrun. q distin-
guished French exile.
ne HcWCOIHeTs, heeli Hcwb VI tho
fall of Richmond, listened eagerly to
what Lincoln told them of his visit to
the fallen Confederate capital. They
were impressed that his only preoccu-
patton was the necessity of wiping out
the consequences of the war;"
When he went with them for a drive
through Petersburg they were struck by
his stopping his carriage to examine a
noble tree. because, he said. 1t reminded
him Of one of the great oaks he played
under when a boy. This was the first
of several references made in the last
few days of his life to scenes familiar in
his days of obscurity and poverty.
1t had been Lincoln's purpose to re-
main at City Point for tidings of Lees
surrender. but on receipt of news from
Washington that Secretary of State Will
lam H. Seward-the virtual head of the
government in the Presidents absence
had been seriously injured by being
thrown from his carriage, he decided to
begin his return trip-his last journey
on the evening of AprA s.
Has Band Play "Dixie."
the Presidents boat military band
came on board and gave a concert. After
several pieces had been played, Mr.. Lin
coin. as compliment to his French
guest. suggested that they play THE
Marseillaise. He was so pleased with
It that he ordered it played . second
time.
He then asked the marquis II he had
ever heard Dixie" the patriotic song
of the Confederates. On a negative an
swer being made. he said: THAT tune
Is now Federal property. 1t belongs to
us" adding that 1t was good at any
rate" to show the Confederates at that
time that with us they will be free to
hear 1t again."
Several similar references to Dixie
were to be made by Lincoln in his last
days. 1t will be noted that this. the
first. was made the day before Lees
surrender, while q large Confederate
army under Gen. Joseph f. Johnston
was yet in the field and Jefferson Davis
was still uncaptured.
As at 10 O'Clock the Presidents steamer
left the wharf at City Point he fingered
on deck. He stood for long time gazing
the darkness at the few lights
on shore and the dim forms of many