The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-04-09
APRIL IS. 1915

catafalqua.
get him. but his public work was past
history. OR SO 1t then seemed.
Even before Lincoln was laid in his
tomb the nation was plunged afresh
into the turmoil Of war and war
alarms. General Sherman was vlr-
tually accused of treason in the matter
of making terms with the Confeder-
ates for the surrender Of Johnston's-
large army. Grant was sent to the
front to relieve Sherman. The fleeing
Confederate government vas being
pursued for fear Il new stand would be
made in the mountains OF beyond the
Mississippi. Andrew johnson stepped
into Lincoln's shoes and was instantly
at odds with bis cabinet and COL
leagues. Grant was the man Of the
hour" upon whom the public relied to
restore order. but even Grant was
checked by red tape and a yelled
jealousy and hostility which often tied
his hands.
The ink was barely dry upon Lees
treaty Of surrender when Sheridan
was ordered to gather his forces and
proceed to the Mexican border and pre-
pare for u new war with the forces Of
Macmillan. For three years following
the end Of the Confederacy and the
death Of Lincoln anxiety and misgtv-
ings ruled the nation. not to be dissi-
pated until the election Of Grant. tho
man on horseback" to the White
House in 1868 Grants sword took
the place Of Lincoln's wisdom and hon.
esty as the guarantee Of national life
and safety. Never was the saying The
king Is dead; long live the king" moro
applicable than In the United States In
1885. Grant was the new king. though
~unconsecrated and u~nenthroned. The
verdict upon Lincoln was that he had
wrought honestly and nobly, but time
alone could determine the enduring
value Of his labor. Not until the twen-
ty-afth anniversary Of his death al
there a national movement to COM
mennonite bis life work by celebrating
his birthday.
Lincoln's Closing Days.
The last six months of Lincoln's ca
reer In the executive chair we're nota-
bly, eventfui. In November. 1854, he
was reelected upon his record as war
president Of three aud u half years.
His reelection had not been u foregone
conclusion. Such was the demand for
4 military man that General Grant had
been impeiled to declare that be would
not be q candidate. General McClel-'
Ian ran on an anti-war platform, and,
although his electoral vote was light,
he drew Il surprising popular vote.
That the people of the north were
tired of the al was evident In spite
Of Linc0ln's triumph ut the polls on q
ringing war platform. In order to
prove bis desire for peace he yielded
to the pressure of the hour and met
Vice President Stephens Of the Con-
federate states at Fortress Monroe, In
February. 1865. to arrange the prelimi-
naries Of negotiations. His drm avow.
al that the basis Of such negotiations
must be the submission Of the south
ended the conference. and from that
time on the problem Of conquering
peace and restoring the relations Of tho
sections absorbed his heart and mind.
His thought, his hope. his conviction
were epit0mized In that marvellous In
augural address Of March 4, when he
surpassed not only himself. but oil tue
classics Of American political clio
Quence. One specimen sufices to stamp
its tone and power:
with malice toward none, with
charity for all. with armness III the
right, as God gives 10 to SEQ the Fight.
let us strive on to finish the work We
are in. to bind up the nations wounds.
to care for him who has borne the bat
tie and for his widow and his orphan
to do all which may achieve and cher
ish a just and lasting peace anon.
ourselves and With all nations."
While in Richmond after the fall Nj.
Lincoln said that he believed that the
conquered people would be '1et up
easy" This was In accordance with
views expressed to Grant after be
had met Confederate peace commits
sioners. Grant states In his memoiFn
that at that time Nj. Lincoln said
that IL the southerners would agree
to perpetual union and the abolition
Of q)ayerr be would be willing 70 hand
them ayblank sheet Of paper With bis
signature attached and let them state
the terms themselves. These views.
known to the Federal generals In the
aeld, Influenced them in their stipula-
lions for the surrender Of the Confed-
crate armies.