Burlington, April 16, 1865.
Day before yesterday was a day of rejoicing and gladness in
Burlington. The country people were in town in large numbers, and there were
processions, torch-lights, fireworks, illuminations, and every one seemed happy
at the thought of a speedy and honorable peace.
That day of jubilee has been succeeded by two very sorrowful
ones. About nine o'clock on Saturday, the intelligence reached us of the
assassination of Mr. Lincoln, and the attempt upon Mr. Seward's life.
Immediately the people began to assemble about the Hawkeye office, and
soon Third Street became packed with people. And such expressions of horror,
indignation, sorrow, and wonder, were never heard before. Shortly, some one
began to decorate his house with the habiliments of mourning, and soon all the
business part of the town, even the vilest liquor-dens, were shrouded with the
outward signs of sorrow. All business was at once suspended, and not resumed
during the day, but every one waited for further intelligence from Washington.
This day has been remarkably pleasant, and every one went to
church. I went early, and found our church packed full, so that it was with
difficulty I found a seat. Many were there whom I never suspected of ever going
to church before, among them many German Turners; and many were turned away.
I was kept busy last night trying to prevent the destruction
of a foolish woman's store, who, it was said, expressed her joy at Mr.
Lincoln's murder. Had she been a man, so much was the old Adam aroused in me, I
would not have uttered a word to save her.
I am full of forebodings about Johnson. He is loyal enough,
but he is a man of low instincts, vindictive, violent, and of bad habits. His
course will depend much upon the hands he falls into at the outset. I hope he
will be equal to the occasion, and prove to be a good President. The
performance of the fourth of last month was not a very flattering augury of the
future.
Mr. Lincoln is to be hereafter regarded as a saint. All his
foibles, and faults, and shortcomings, will be forgotten, and he will be looked
upon as the Moses who led the nation through a four years' bloody war, and died
in sight of peace. Never did men make a greater mistake than did his assassins,
if they desired lenity and favorable terms, when they slew him, and attempted
to slay Seward; for they had more to expect from them than from any men,
indeed, from all men connected with the public councils in the North. Mr.
Lincoln was the most amiable, kind-hearted man I ever knew, and would not, if
he could avoid it, punish his most malignant enemy. If I am not greatly
deceived, they have got a “Tartar” in his stead.
SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes,
p. 277-9
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