The full original obituary written for President Abraham Lincoln was published in the New York Herald on April 15, 1865, the day after his assassination.
GREAT NATIONAL CALAMITY
Assassination of President Lincoln
HIS DEATH
The President died this morning at twenty-two minutes after seven.
STATEMENT OF SECRETARY STANTON
The following is the official statement of Secretary Stanton:
"Abraham Lincoln died this morning at twenty-two minutes after seven o'clock."
THE ASSASSINATION
The President was shot at Ford's Theater last evening, about half-past ten o'clock, and expired this morning at the hour above stated. The particulars of this atrocious crime will be found in our columns this morning. It is only necessary for us to say here that it was perpetrated by an actor named J. Wilkes Booth, who, after shooting the President, leaped upon the stage, brandished a dagger, and exclaimed, "Sic semper tyrannis." He then rushed through the rear of the theater, mounted his horse, which was waiting for him, and escaped. The city was immediately aroused, and every effort made to arrest the murderer.
LINCOLN'S CAREER
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, on the 12th of February, 1809. His father, Thomas Lincoln, was a farmer and carpenter, who removed from Kentucky to Indiana in 1816. Young Abraham was early put to work on the farm, and received little education. At the age of nineteen he made a voyage to New Orleans as a flat-boatman. In 1830 he removed with his father to Illinois, and settled in Macon County. Here he worked at odd jobs, split rails, cleared land, and in his leisure hours read law.
In 1832 he was appointed captain of a company of volunteers in the Black Hawk war, and was soon after elected to the Legislature of Illinois. In 1834 he was re-elected, and in 1836 he was admitted to the bar. He soon acquired a good practice, and in 1847 was elected to Congress. Here he distinguished himself by his able speeches against the Mexican war, and was not re-elected. In 1849 he was tendered the office of Commissioner of the General Land Office, which he declined.
In 1854 the anti-Nebraska movement was started, and Mr. Lincoln, in a speech at Springfield, Illinois, took a prominent part. In 1856 he received one hundred votes for Vice-President in the Republican National Convention. In 1858 he was nominated for the United States Senate by the Republican party of Illinois, and, in a joint discussion with Senator Douglas, achieved a national reputation. He was not elected to the Senate, but his speeches were published in all parts of the country, and he became one of the recognized leaders of the Republican party.
In 1860 Mr. Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency by the Republican National Convention, and was elected by a large majority. He entered upon the duties of his office on the 4th of March, 1861, and has ever since been the central figure of the greatest civil war in the world's history.
LINCOLN'S CHARACTER
In his private life Mr. Lincoln was a man of the greatest simplicity and purity of character. He was honest, frank, and sincere, and possessed a warm and generous heart. His integrity was never questioned, and his devotion to duty was unswerving. He was an indulgent father, a kind and affectionate husband, and a warm and attached friend. His nature was essentially sympathetic, and his sense of justice was so strong that it was said of him that he never knowingly did an unjust act. He had a keen sense of humor, and was always ready with a witty remark or a quaint story. His mind was clear and penetrating, and his judgment sound and logical. He was a man of the people, and his sympathies were always with the masses. He had a deep and abiding faith in the ultimate triumph of right over wrong, and in the wisdom and justice of the people.
LINCOLN'S FAMILY
Mr. Lincoln was married in 1842 to Miss Mary Todd, of Lexington, Kentucky. She was a lady of great beauty and charm, but of a somewhat imperious disposition. She was devotedly attached to her husband, and shared with him the trials and sorrows of his eventful career. They had four children, three sons and one daughter. Robert, the eldest, is now Secretary of War in President Garfield's Cabinet. Edward died in childhood, and William and Thomas, the youngest, died in early manhood.
LINCOLN'S DEATH
The news of Mr. Lincoln's death has produced a profound sensation throughout the country. His loss will be deeply mourned by all who knew him, and by the millions who loved and revered him as the great champion of freedom and the defender of the Union. He was the greatest man of his time, and one of the noblest and purest characters in history. He has left behind him a record of courage, wisdom, and devotion to duty that will be an inspiration to generations yet unborn.
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