ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- CHAPTER 21

                                        CARRYING THE RICHES OF GOD

                                            WITHIN HIMSELF

 

   The assassin was John Wilkes Booth, a younger brother of Edwin Booth, a famous

actor of Shakespearian roles. A confederate sympathizer as well as an athletic and

daring youth of a hot temper, he was the leader of a conspiracy which aimed at the

death of several others besides Lincoln.

He was found in a barn after two weeks's search. He was shot by his pursuers, or,

more probably, shot himself.

 

   The body of Lincoln, was carried to Spring field, his home of so many years, where

on May 4, 1865, it was laid to rest. The governments of France, Italy, Prussia, Belgium, Turkey. Austria and Switzerland expressed deep regret. Queen Victoria, deeply

distressed to hear the news, instructed Earl Russell to convey her sorrow to the government of the United States, and at the same time with her own hand, wrote to

Mrs. Lincoln a letter of condolence. She too was a Widow.

 

   After the burial service, the Second Inaugural Address was read over his grave.

No better words would have been found to honor one who had striven to do his duty

" with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gave 

him to see the right".

 

                             --- The end ---