On returning from a carriage-drive into Washington, Mrs. Lincoln--who
was not the Southern sympathizer the scandalous hinted--glanced at the
city, and said aloud with bitterness:
"That city is full of our enemies!"
Had she a premonition on the fatal eve?
Right before the Marquis of Chambrun, their companion, the President
serenely said:
"Enemies, Mary! Never speak of that!"
No wonder, when the dastardly taking off was bruited through the beaten
but ever gallant South, they knew that they had lost "their best
friend!" as General Pickett styled Lincoln.--(By the Marquis of
Chambrun.)
* * * * *
"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE TREASURY OF THE WORLD."
As Schuyler Colfax was going West, Lincoln, in bidding him the _last_
farewell, said foresightedly:
"I have very large ideas of the mineral wealth of our nation. Now that
the Rebellion is overthrown, and we know pretty nearly the amount of
our national debt, the more gold and silver we mine, we make the
payment of that debt the easier. Tell the miners from me that I shall
promote their interests to the best of my ability because their
prosperity is the prosperity of the nation; and we shall prove in a few
years that we are the treasury of the world."
* * * * *
"HANG ON--NOT HANG!"
On April 11, 1865, Mr. Lincoln spoke out of his study window to an
immense and joyous crowd. There were rockets, and portfire, and a huge
bonfire, while the President was serenaded. The finish of the Rebellion
delighted all persons. His offhand speech was full of compassion and
brotherly love. Louisiana was already being "reconstructed." Mr.
Harlan, who followed the chief, touched the major key: "What shall we
do with the rebels?" To which the mob responded hoarsely:
"Hang them!"
Lincoln's little son, Tad, was in the room, playing with the quills on
the table where his father made his notes. He looked at his father, and
said, as one whose intimacy made him familiar with his inmost thoughts:
"No, papa; not hang them--but _hang on_ to them!"
The President triumphantly repeated:
"We must hang on to them! Tad's got it!"--(By Mrs. H. McCulloch,
present.)
* * * * *