Resolved, That we cherish in highest honor the private virtues and the public career of the late President, who in his lifetime patriotically sought, with animosity towards none, with charity towards all, to save the nation's life, and heal its wounds; while his death, investing his counsels with new value, cannot fail to endear him more than ever to his friends, as well as to disabuse the prejudices and assuage the animosity of his opponents. Resolved, That while we bow with the humility appropriate to our limited vision before the wisdom of God, who has permitted this wild outbreak of the wrath of man to succeed, we do still acknowledge His merciful intervention that had spared so long a life on which such interests hung through the earlier periods of greater confusion and greater peril; and we do yet cherish profoundly the hope, and offer reverently the prayer, that the nation's life may still be dear in His all-embracing eye; that its institutions may be maintained unimpaired, and its banner ever wave, an emblem of justice and freedom on earth. Resolved, That while the depths of grief are unutterably stirred within us, we still yield to no despondency in view of the machinations of men of criminal intent, confident that other patriots, true, wise, and brave, will arise from among the popular ranks, to serve the cause of our country, to maintain under God her liberties, and to guide her destiny to the wisest and noblest ends. These resolutions were at once adopted with entire unanimity and emotion. The following resolution was also proposed by the committee, in relation to the attack on the life of Secretary Seward: Resolved, That this meeting rejoices to learn that the dastardly attack on the Honorable William H. Seward, Secretary of State of the United States, at the time an invalid in his bed, failed utterly; while we hope that, yet living to witness that honorable and permanent peace for which so assiduously he has labored restored throughout the land, he may long be spared to serve his country, and to have her do him the honor his patriotic devotion to her interests and sufferings on her behalf have deserved. Mr. Caldwell recommended that the citizens of the United States, in conformity with the custom at home, should wear some token of mourning on the arm or chest for the term of fifteen days. This was seconded by Paul Delano, esq., and adopted. No. 1,615.] HENRY M. CALDWELL, Secretary. [Translation.] Resolution of the municipality of Quillota. INTENDENCY OF VALPARAISO, Valparaiso, June 28, 1865. The following resolution has been approved by the municipality of the department of Quillota in its session of the 20th instant: The illustrious municipality over which I preside, in its session of the 20th instant, has approved the following draught of a resolution: The melancholy news which has plunged an entire continent in the deepest mourning, could not be received in this city without filling its inhabitants with grief and consternation. This news was no less than the extinction of an existence precious to humanity, that of an apostle of the truths of democracy-an untiring laborer for the greatness and prosperity of America, and a loyal and sincere friend of our country. Such was the President, Abraham Lincoln, sacrificed on the fatal night of the 14th of April by the infamous hand of an assassin. In the privileged brain of the immortal Lincoln were meditated the gravest interests of the human race, under the impulses of the tendencies of a noble soul, and of a genius predestined to do good. From the lofty position achieved by his virtues, he watched with the utmost solicitude over the destinies of America, exhibiting with notable brilliancy a policy of justice in his relations with weak nations, and manifesting, especially towards our own republic, sincere sympathy and regard. He co-operated earnestly in the crusade against the ominous oligarchy, protector of the most horrible of all social inequalities. He showed a constant zeal for the preservation of the integrity of the great republic which intrusted its direction to him, thus insuring the stability of the most perfect form of political existence, and demonstrated that policy of justice by his course towards the Brazilian nation, weak in material power, while powerful in the right of her claims; and, finally, by his course towards Chili, which can only be interpreted as an evidence of the spirit of most perfect cordiality. While mourning over the blow which has wounded every American heart in its innermost depths, our satisfaction has been great to see the great republic pass unharmed through so fiery a trial. This is the privilege of governments resting not upon the shifting basis of force, but upon the solid foundations of principles-principles that study the means of elevating the august sovereignty of man to the position for which nature designed him, and not of strengthening dynasties by the legacy of millions of men to be converted into slaves and puppets. Mankind may weep, but it gazes upon his great work finished; while the human race exists will it remain. Although this result, the necessary consequence of the propagation of democratic ideas, is for us a just motive for rejoicing, it is not sufficient to do away with the painful impression which the news of this great calamity has caused us. The family of redeemers is few! Washington left for his part political personality. Lincoln added social personality. The former made colonists into citizens; the latter made citizens from slaves. Washington gave a country to those he redeemed; Lincoln, to those he liberated, gave one also, saying to them, "Be ye men." Both made great conquests for mankind, giving back to man that which prejudice and egotism had usurped. From the time of Washington to that of Lincoln, America has completed her first era in the mission of redemption. As Chilenos, as Americans, as men, we have a just right to join with the republic of the north in celebrating the prosperous events of its existence, as well as in accompanying it in our sympathy in the hours of misfortune; and in order to attest in some external manner the grief of the residents of this city for the death of the illustrious Lincoln, we address ourselves to you as their immediate representative, soliciting your suffrages in favor of the following draught of a resolution: The people of Quillota, profoundly moved by the unexpected event of the death of Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of the United States, approach their representative in Chili in order to offer to that nation the most carnest expression of condolence for so painful an event. A copy of this resolution will be transmitted, together with the requisite note of enclosure, to the Hon. Thomas Henry Nelson, minister plenipotentiary of the United States of North America. QUILLOTA, June 12, 1865. In transcribing to your excellency the foregoing resolution of the municipality of Quillota, I take pleasure in manifesting to your excellency identical sentiments on the part of this intendency. God guard your excellency. THOMAS H. NELSON, Esq., J. RAMON LIRA. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary COSTA RICA. [Translation.] PALACIO NATIONAL, SAN JOSÉ, May 16, 1865. The President of the republic has, with profound grief, in the despatch you were pleased to send me from Punt Arenas, found the confirmation of the sad intelligence of the murder committed on the person of the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, which occurred the 14th of last month, at Ford's theatre, in the city of Washington. You have also been pleased to inform me of the criminal attempt to assassinate in their own house the Messrs. Seward, Secretary and Assistant Secretary of State, an attempt which, though fortunately frustrated, caused to these gentlemen several wounds and blows endangering their lives. My government would wish, in honor of humanity, that this savage act should appear isolated, and solely chargeable to the wretched assassin who attacked the life of the unfortunate President. And it must be so. Whatever ferocity may be ascribed to the anti-national party, it is inconceivable how, even in a state of desperation, it should go to the extreme of defiling its cause with the most horrible of all crimes, without any other political result but that of calling down upon it the indignation of the whole world. Costa Rica deplores as her own the loss sustained by the United States in the death of the eminent man who for four years governed, with such justice, firmness, and loyalty, the great republic of the north, in the midst of the troubles and anxieties of an intestine war. She laments the violence of passions called into existence by political fanaticism, and condemns now, more than ever, the cause of those who attempted to destroy the American Union. In mark of mourning the President ordered the national flag on all public buildings to be raised half-mast during the 14th instant. Rejoicing in the restoration of the momentous health of the honorable Mr. Seward, and in the inauguration of Mr. Andrew Johnson in his character as President, I have the honor to reiterate, &c., Hon. Señor C. N. RIOTTE, &c., &c., &c. J. VOLIO. [Translation.] PALACIO NATIONAL, SAN JOSÉ, May 30, 1865. I have the honor, in reply to your esteemed note of the 26th instant, to communicate to you that the government and the people of Costa Rica join, with the greatest spontaneity and alacrity, in the public demonstration of mourning and grief which the republic of the north, our sister and ally, is making in memory of the good man that left the earth. Proper orders have been issued that on the 1st of June next the national flag will be hoisted half-mast. Repeating, &c., Hon. Señor D. CARLOS N. RIOTTE, &c., &c., &c. J. VOLIO. [Translation.] NATIONAL PALACE, SAN JOSÉ, May 25, 1865. SIR: The assassination perpetrated in the person of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and the criminal attempt made against the Secretary of State, Mr. Seward, which you communicate in your despatch No. 186, has caused the profoundest regret to the members of this government, and generally to the Costa Rican people, who understand and appreciate the merit of the illustrious victims of such a horrible event. This government has read with esteem the communications, copies of which you enclosed, exchanged between the secretaryship of state and that legation, in relation to said events, and it is highly pleased that it fell to you the honor to be one of the commission charged with the manifestation to the family of the ill-fated Mr. Lincoln of the share of the diplomatic body in the general mourning, and with the expression to Mr. Seward and his family of its sympathies and prayers for their recovery. As soon as the dismal intelligence reached this capital, his excellency the President directed the national flag to be hoisted at half-mast on all the public buildings. I am also informed of the inauguration of the new President, Mr. Andrew Johnson, and of the speeches on that solemn occasion. While the enormities to which political fanaticism may lead are lamented, it is a source of consolation that the attitude preserved at so very critical moments by the nation so cruelly wounded, remaining immovably true to its institutions, and exhibiting sentiments of horror and bereavement, is equally worthy of a great and generous people as of the illustrious personages to whom they were devoted. Hailing the miraculous preservation of the Hon. Mr. Seward, and offering prayers for the restoration of himself, his worthy son, and all other persons of his estimable family, I close this, recommending you to communicate its contents in the usual form, which might be more acceptable. I am, sir, your obedient servant, His Excelleney DON LUIS MOLINA, JULIAN VOLIO. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from Costa Rica, Washington, D. C. [Translation.] LEGATIONS OF COSTA RICA, NICARAGUA, AND HONDURAS, Washington, April 15, 1865. SIR Sincerely sharing in the feelings of the people of the United States, the persons connected with the government, and yourself, on the occasion of the melancholy events which you communicate to me in your note of this date, I do not venture anything in at once assuring you that the governments and the peoples I have the honor to represent near the United States will receive with due appreciation the sad intelligence of the national calamity referred to, fully sympathizing with the national sorrow. At the same time you have the kindness to inform me that, according to the Constitution of the United States, the Vice-President has formally assumed the functions of President, and that you have been by him authorized to perform the duties of Secretary of State. The uninterrupted existence of the constitutional government of the United States will doubtless be looked upon in the republics of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras as the surest guarantee of the friendly relations they so much desire to cultivate with this country, and will now be a relief accompanied with the hope that the administration of President Johnson may advance those relations as well as that of his lamented predecessor. Let me offer my personal condolence with the family of the late President in their. bereavement, and my earnest wishes for the recovery of Mr. Seward, his son, and family. I have the honor to offer to you the assurances of my high consideration. LUIS MOLINA. Hon. WILLIAM HUNTER, Acting Secretary of State of the United States, Washington, D. C. No. 123.] Mr. Riotte to Mr. Hunter. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I had the honor of receiving on the 13th instant at Punta Arenas, whither I had gone for the purposes indicated in my despatch No. 122, your despatches Nos. 100 and 101 and your order of 17th April last. The terrible tragedy recited in your despatch No. 100 has created a degree of painful sensation. in this country altogether unexpected and heretofore evinced on no occasion. The President immediately upon the arrival of the mail raised the flag on his mansion half-mast, and the same was done by his order on all public buildings. The foreign diplomatic and consular representatives followed, and most of them wrote me letters or paid me visits of condolence. And the grief was not merely an official one, as to my sincere satisfaction I had abundant proof to convince myself. A real gloom was spread over the whole community. It would not be proper in this place to speak of my personal feelings, but I hope I will be pardoned for saying that the great debt of gratitude I owed Mr. Lincoln made me feel his loss like that of a brother. In the miraculous salvation of the venerable chief of our department I rejoice most heartily, with every true friend of the great cause of our country, which, I am persuaded, in the hands of Mr. Johnson will be sustained ably and energetically. No. 125.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of despatches Nos. 102 and 103, and enclose copy of a note addressed to this government, and a copy and translation of the reply thereto; also a copy of the circular note directed by me to the diplomatic and consular representatives of foreign nations, calling upon them to join in the celebration of the day set aside by the President as a day of mourning in memory of our lamented late President. |