EXTINCTION OF SLAVERY--NO CONCILIATION WITH TRAITORS--DOWN WITH
COPPERHEADS AT HOME.
In a publication of this character, it will not be expected we should
review either the causes which led to the great rebellion, with its
hydra heads and its sad consequences; but in closing, and especially
in view of the terrible tragedy which has plunged a nation in deepest
grief, we cannot refrain from saying, that the last most diabolical deed
was not the act of individual madness, of personal hate and passion, it
was the culmination of the hatred by the slave power of the principle
of liberty, and the champion of freedom. It was not because the assassin
felt in his heart a hatred of Abraham Lincoln, but because he, and the
people at whose instigation he acted, hated the apostle of liberty, and
the instrument in the hand of God for the accomplishment of a great and
mighty work. Although it was the purpose of this band of murderers
to assassinate the President and the whole Cabinet, it was not from
personal malice against them as men, but the enemy sought by the
destruction of the exponents of a free government, to give new life
to the expiring representation of the slave power. So antagonistic was
freedom to slavery that it was impossible to permanently embody the
representatives of these principles with a republican government, which
should be perfect in its formation, wise and just in its action, the
hope of the liberty loving people throughout the world, and the pride
and glory of American citizens. Every year since the adoption of the
old Constitution, have discordant elements cropped out, and incidents
transpired, which demonstrated to every rational mind, that as time
rolled on, the accumulation of combustible elements would ultimately
explode, and shake the civilized world to its center.
The facts that Northern teachers, Northern clergymen, Northern
mercantile agents, Northern men upon business or pleasure, travelling
at the South, and unwilling to stultify themselves, or become passive
approvers and admirers of the "peculiar institution," were treated with
all possible indignities, and might count themselves fortunate if they
escaped with their lives. So complete was the universal devotion to
slavery in all sections of the South, and so baneful its effects upon
the people, that all other considerations were made subservient to this.
For slavery, friends were alienated, hatred established, so bitter in
its extent that only death could appease it. It demoralized the entire
people; it found its way with all its horrid moral deformities, into
the very capitol; it caused the murderous assault of Brooks upon Charles
Sumner in the Senate, and the many altercations and bitter harangues
which have from time to time disgraced our National Congress; it was its
cropping out that caused the fearless and noble President Andy Johnson,
to threaten to hang Jeff. Davis--and which he may yet be called upon to
perform;--it was slavery that devised the doctrine of secession; that
has led to the deadly conflict upon hundreds of battle fields, and has
spilled the best blood of our nation, and caused mourning and gloom all
over the face of our once happy land. What wonder then, that the noble
Lincoln, who, in the sincerity of his heart, and in the dictates of
superior wisdom, who, seeing and appreciating the encroachments and
horrors of slavery, not only to the people in bondage, but to the
citizens of our country in every section--who wonders that Lincoln,
whose name is immortal, especially for his extirpation of this curse,
should be singled out by the demon of slavery, and assigned by Davis,
his prophet, for a violent death. Thank God, the cancer is extirpated
so thoroughly, that its fibres of death can never again form to threaten
destruction to our land. True, the operation has been most painful, and
no anesthetic agent has been employed; the suffering has been fearful,
and the country has, to its extremities, trembled with anguish; but it
is over now.
The assassination of the President was the will of Jeff. Davis,
whispered in the temples of the Sons of Liberty or American Knights,
into the ears of those of the members of the Orders, who had made the
most proficiency in their teachings, and these beings, true to their
_oaths_, went forth upon their mission of blood.
The following "gems," from the debates in the Democratic National
Convention, will be read with interest now and in future time:
S.S. Cox, said:
"He had attempted in his own city, a few weeks since, to show, in a
very quiet way, that ABRAHAM LINCOLN HAD DELUGED THE COUNTRY WITH BLOOD,
created a debt of four thousand million of dollars, sacrificed two
millions of human lives, and filled the land with grief and mourning."
A pious man, who had listened attentively to his remarks, sang out
"G----d d----n him."
"For less offenses than Mr. Lincoln had been guilty of, the English
people had chopped off the head of the first Charles. IN HIS OPINION,
LINCOLN AND DAVIS OUGHT TO BE BROUGHT TO THE SAME BLOCK TOGETHER."