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of the country had been gradually brightening. Foremost in the heaven-blessed work of peace and conciliation, had been President Lincoln. Already had the fruits of his policy, during his brief visit to. Richmond, began to reveal themselves in the important appeal made to the Virginia legislature by the leading men of that state. Disregarding all appeals to return to Washington, heeding not for a moment suggestions of personal danger, he remained in the late rebel capital, simply because he believed his presence and influence there could aid an honorable and speedy close of the war: and every day's developments plainly demonstrated that he judged rightly. Upon no class in the country does this calamity fall with more crushing weight than upon the union men of the south, who had justly and naturally come to look to President Lincoln as the pilot who was to bring the nation safely through all dangers.

This hope is now gone, and clouds loom up in the future. "New masters, new laws." The President had adopted a policy which was becoming well understood, and which was rapidly receiving the unanimous favor of the best minds of men of all parties north and south. The hopes built upon this happily changing feature in our affairs disappears. What was reasonable certainty now becomes the greatest uncertainty. The rolling, boisterous sea is before us, and the ship is in the hands of untried mariners.

From the time it was known Mr. Lincoln was

elected for the second term, party opposition to him, or his administration, was modified to a degree never known on the accession of a president to office. The terrible crisis the country had passed through had softened asperities, and men began to consider their duties in the higher relations to country-to saving the republic from utter ruin. Day by day this modified sentiment was growing stronger. While some of the President's carly and hitherto most steadfast friends felt impelled to differ with his views and withhold approval of some of his acts, the party which had opposed the President gave unerring signs of a disposition cordially to sustain him.

Humanly speaking, we believe the lives of Abraham Lincoln and William H. Seward were of more value to this country, in the crisis we are passing through, than the lives of any two men in the world. Their experience during the past four years, their familiarity with all questions-domestic and foreign

- the anxious desire of both to see the great internal controversy closed, their ability to rise above small to grasp and make secure great interests, and the fact that both had the confidence of the country, and that to both was assigned the helm for four years to come, made them the nation's hope, as far as men confide in men. But God is over all. The devisings of mortals are nothing. For some inscrutably wise purpose, the Almighty afflicts this people.-Troy Daily Press.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

BY JAMES S. THORN.

There are little knots on the corners to-day,
And with bated breath they utter
Not alone a dirge o'er th' inanimate clay,
But avenging whispers mutter.

There are aching hearts in the households to-night;
There are eyes that are red with weeping;
And tender hearts, oh not bursting quite,
In the gall of despair are steeping.

They are sobbing to day on the old camp-ground,
And spirits undaunted by foeman,

That trembled not when the battery frowned,
Are blauched as the check of woman.

Comes a nation's wail o'er her prostrate son,
For her joy has been changed to sorrow:
She fears there's the dusk of doubt begun,
And alas! who can tell the morrow?

So pure and so wise, aye, so grandly good,
Sic semper tyrannis belies him :

Greatest of living men he stood;

Dying, the world shall prize him.

Though the head lies low, yet the body lives: There are heart-strings that death cannot sever:

HE taketh away, but yet He gives,

And the Union shall last forever.

We are tasting to-day of the bitter cup:
Oh lesson, we heed thy warning.
We know but ONE who can lift us up:

'Tis night, it will yet be morning.

The dead of to-day will grow divine
Like the martyrs of ancient story,

And with Washington's, Lincoln's name shall shine
On the scroll of our country's glory.

Saturday, April 15th, 1865.

Troy Daily Times.

Later in the day appeared the proclamation of Reuben E. Fenton, governor of the state, and the recommendation of Horatio Potter, bishop of the diocese of New York. They are here inserted because they form a part of the history of the occasion, and served to give direction to some of the religious services of the subsequent days.

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR.

The fearful tragedy at Washington has converted an occasion of rejoicing over national victory into one of national mourning. It is fitting, therefore, that the 20th of April, heretofore set apart as a day of thanksgiving, should now be dedicated to services appropriate to a season of national bereavement.

Bowing reverently to the providence of God, let us assemble in our places of worship on that day, to acknowledge our dependence on him who has brought sudden darkness on the land in the very hour of its restoration to union, peace and liberty.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the privy seal of the state, at the city of

Albany, this fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.

By the Governor:

R. E. FENTON.

GEO. S. HASTINGS, Private Secretary.

RECOMMENDATION OF BISHOP POTTER.

NEW YORK, April 15th, 1865.

To the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of New YorkDEAR BROTHERS: With agony which I have no language to express, I appeal to you to offer up your prayers for this bereaved and mourning nation. The beloved and revered Chief Magistrate of the United States is no more. The malignant passions which have just proved impotent to destroy the government, have successfully done the assassin's work upon the life of its honored head. A glorious career of service and devotion is crowned with a martyr's death. I request most respectfully that to-morrow, and for the next two weeks, the prayer for a person under affliction be used for the country with these slight changes: Instead of "the sorrows of thy servant," read "the sorrows of thy servants, the people of this nation;" and instead of "him" and "his," read "us" and "ours." I also appoint the prayer in time of war and tumults to be read. I would also recommend that after the solemnities of the Easter Sunday shall have been concluded, the churches of the diocese be clothed in mourning. Praying God to give you his blessing, and to sanctify this sore bereavement to

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