The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-04-12

speech in answer to a. serenade: 4
used the phrase. turned tail and ran.
Some very nice Boston folks. / am
grieved TO hear. were very much out
ragged by that phrase. which they
thought improper. So I resolved TO
make no more impromptu speeches e
The Last Speech.
When Lincoln appeared to deliver
this speech the grounds before the
White House and the avenue and
square beyound were densely packed
with cheering pople. Fireworks filled
the air. and at some distance a band
played patriotic airs.
As Lincoln prepared to speak his lit
tie son Tad" seized a Confederate
nag that had been given him ana,
leaning far out Of another window,
waved II with might and main. He
then stepped 10 a large open window
over the main entrance OF the White
House and began to read his speech
A hush fell over the crowd. AS the
long. angular form of the President
stood outlined In the window, IL pre-
sented a curious aspect. for he held
In one hand a candle which threw a
dim light on his figure. After he nau
begun to speak he made a slight mo-
ton with his left elbow. which indicat-
ed TO persons near him that he wished
10 be relieved OF the candle, and Noah
Brooks, a friend. held IL for him.
As he read he dropped the sheets
OF manuscript one by one to the floor
little Tad, scurried around and pick
ed them up. and was impatient that
they did not come faster Once ne
pulled at his fathers coattail and said,
Give me another paper, papa"
Addressing his hearers as Fellow
Citizens" Lincoln said. I'VE meet
not In sorrow. but in gladness OF heart
The evacuation or Petersburg and
Richmond. and the surrender OF the
principle insurgent army. give hope
OF a righteous and speedy peace
whose joyous expression cannot be re-
strained. In the midst of this. how
ever. He from whom all blessings
flow must not be forgotten A call for
a National thanksgiving is being pre-
pared and VIII be duly PROMULGATED.
Nor must those whose harder part
gives us the cause OF rejoicing be
overlooked. Their honoIs rust not 10
parceled out with the others. my.
self was near the front. and had the
high pleasure OF transmitting much OF
the good news TO you. but no part OF
the honor, for plan or execution. Is
mine. To Gen Grant. his skillful Of
hcers and brave men. all belongs. me
gallant Navy stood ready. but was not
in reach TO take active part"
Booth Hears Lincoln Speak.
The bulk Of the speech was devoted
20 the problems of reconstruction. a
task. he said. ''fraught with great dif-
Bculty." He explained what had been.
done to give a new government to
louisiana In reconstruction II was
not necessary 20 consider whether the
Southern States had been out 81 the
Union or not. he declared Finding
themselves safely AZ home" he said.
1T would be utterly immaterial 20 re-
storing the proper practical relations
between these United States and the
Union.
His closing words were
''Withali no new unprecedented r.
the whole case that no exclusive ana
in1exible plan can safely be prescrib-
ed a. 20 details and collaterals. Such
exclusive and inhexible plan would
surely become new enlargement.
IN the present situation. a. the phrase
goes. u may b. my duty 20 make some
new announcement 20 the people OF
the South. I am considering. ana
shall not fail 20 act when satisfied
that action will b. proper
Lincoln concluded b. asking the
band 20 play Dixie Aa fo turned
away from the window be- raid 20
Noah Brooks. who bad held The candle
for him That was a pretty FAIR
speech. ! think. But you threw some
light on a."
When conversation was resumed m
he White House. Mrs Lincoln remon-
strated with her husband for reckless
w exposing himself 10 danger. saying
that he might have been shot a. DE- |
stood In the window. lie sOOthed hes. !