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VIII.

THE EFFECT IN EUROPE.

AND him, the good, the great,
Crowned by a martyr's fate,
What words can fitly utter forth
His manly virtues and his worth?
Perchance he did not seem

So

great to those who deem

A traitor or a Nero

May be a glorious hero,

If he but wear a classic face,

Or ape the superficial grace

That marks the scion of a titled race.

Not such was he for whom we mourn;

Of gentle blood he was not born,

Nor heir to patrimonial lands

Tilled by the bondman's unrequited hands.

He inherited a heart,

As an infant's, void of art;

Yet imbued with a Titanic might,

In his hate of wrong, his love of right:

His was the celestial beauty

Of a soul that does its duty.

Noble patriot, husband, father,

He did not seek to gather

The laurels of a wild ambition,

That only yield a vain fruition.

To benefit mankind,-this was his aim;

To labor and to live unstained with blame:

He died without a blot upon his name.

Let a requiem sublime

Ascend from every clime!

Let the weary and oppressed,

From North and South, from East and West,

For whom his great heart yearned,

For whom his spirit burned,

To give their sufferings rest,

Let all arise with lamentation,

And, with his own beloved nation,
Bequeath the fame

Of LINCOLN's name

A heritage for veneration

To the remotest generation!

S. G. W. Benjamin.

VIII.

EFFECT OF THE DEATH IN EUROPE.

IN Europe, the fast crowding events in America had wound public attention to the highest point of tension. The triumph of Sherman, the fall of Richmond, the retreat and surrender of Lee, the complete paralyzation of Johnson, all came in rapid succession. The sudden blow of the murder of Lincoln was as terrible as it was unexpected. The public at large, the press, the civic bodies, the House of Commons, nay, even the House of Lords, and the Queen, all hastened to express their grief, horror, and sympathy.

The London Times says:

"The intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln and of the attempt to assassinate Mr. Seward, caused a most extraordinary sensation in the city on Wednesday. Towards noon the news became known, and it spread rapidly from mouth to mouth in all directions. At first, many were incredulous as to the truth of the rumor, and some believed it to have been set afloat for purposes in connection with the stock exchange. The house of Peabody & Co., American bankers, in Broad street, had received early intelligence of the assassination, and from there the news was carried to the Bank of England, whence it quickly radiated in a thousand directions. Meanwhile it was being wafted far and wide by the second editions of the morning papers, and was supplemented later in the day by the publication of additional particulars. Shortly after twelve o'clock it was communicated to the Lord Mayor while he was sitting in the justice-room of the Mansion House, and about the same time the 'star-spangled banner' was hoisted half-mast high over the American consulate, at the corner of Grace-church street. The same flag had but a few days before floated in triumph from the same place on the entry of the Federals into Richmond, and still later on the surrender of Gen. Lee. Between one and two o'clock the third edition of the Times, con

taining a circumstantial narrative of the affair, made its appearance in the city, and became immediately in extraordinary demand. A newsvender in the Royal Exchange was selling it at half-a-crown a copy, and by half past three o'clock it could not be had for money. The excitement caused by the intelligence was everywhere manifest, and in the streets, on the rail, on the river, in the law courts, the terrible event was the theme of conversation. The revival of the event of the Roadhill murder, which in the earlier part of the day had created a profound sensation, sank into insignificance in comparison with the interest and astonishment excited by the news of the tragedy at Washington. A photographer in Cornhill, 'taking time by the forelock,' exhibited cartes of the deceased President in his window, inscribed 'the late Mr. Lincoln,' accompanied by an account of the assassination cut from the second edition of a contemporary. Throughout the remainder of the day, the evening papers were sold in unexampled numbers, and often at double and treble the ordinary price, all evincing the universal interest felt at the astounding intelligence. On the receipt of the melancholy intelligence in the House of Commons, about sixty members of all parties immediately assembled, and signed the following address of sympathy to the American Minis

ter:

"We, the undersigned, members of the British House of Commons, have learnt with the deepest horror and regret, that the President of the United States of America has been deprived of life by an act of violence, and we desire to express our sympathy on the sad event with the American Minister, now in London, as well as to declare our hope and confidence in the future of that great country, which we trust will continue to be associated with enlightened freedom and peaceful relations with this and every other country.

"LONDON, April 29, 1865.'"

On Saturday evening, the 29th of April, an immense public meeting convened, under the auspices of the Emancipation Society, in St. James's Hall, to express feelings of grief and horror at the assassination of President Lincoln, and sympathy with the government and people of the United States, and with Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Seward and family. The galleries of the hall were draped in black. Over the end of the gallery hung the American flag. The hall was crowded with an audience who manifested not merely their warm admiration of the character and capacity of the late President, and sincere sympathy with the people of the United States in the loss

sustained, but their hearty approval of the great cause Mr. Lincoln represented.

The platform contained an array of Parliamentary gentlemen, and many leading citizens of the metropolis. Many ladies were present, a majority of whom were in mourning.

Various resolutions were carried, not merely with unanimity, but with an intense feeling rarely seen at public meetings.

The chair was occupied by William Evans, President of the Emancipation Society. Messrs. Forster, Stansfield, Leathern, Taylor, Potter, Baxter, and Baines, members of Parliament, commenced the proceedings with expressions of deep sympathy with the American Government and people, and entire confidence in the Administration of President Johnson.

The Chairman was supported by twenty influential members of Parliament, and a large array of distinguished Presidents, representing every section of the community.

Letters of sympathy were received from Sir Charles Lyell, Lord Houlton, and others.

W. E. Forster, member of Parliament, moved the first resolution, that this meeting desires to give utterance to the feelings of grief and horror with which it has heard of the assassination of President Lincoln and the murderous attack on Mr. Seward, and to convey to Mrs. Lincoln, and the United States Government and the people, the expression of its profound sympathy and heartfelt condolence.

Mr. Forster said this was the time when the tie of blood binding Englishmen to Americans was indeed truly felt. A thrill of grief, horror, and indignation, which has passed through the length and breadth of Europe, and especially possesses the heart of every Englishman as though some painful calamity had fallen on himself. This meeting would send by the ship which left their shores that night, its sympathy with the widows and orphans and country, who had not lost their faith for the future. He was confident in the belief that they had so learnt the lesson of common history that they would prove what strength free and Christian people have to bear up against every blow like this, though it be such a blow as had rarely ever fallen upon any commonwealth. He expressed his convictions that President Johnson would continue President Lincoln's work of restoring peace to the country, and insuring freedom to all who dwell in it

P. A. Taylor, M.P., seconded the resolution. He expressed deep sympathy with the American nation, which had lost a worthy successor of Washington. Lincoln's great task had been fulfilled.

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