Abraham Lincoln - A Memorial Discourse by Thomas Mears Eddy
page 21 of 26 (80%)
page 21 of 26 (80%)
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up from a smitten household and bereaved people, before the Lord do
we solemnly demand that justice be done in the land upon evil-doers, that blood-guiltiness may be taken away, and that men shall not dare repeat such crimes. _When treason slew Abraham Lincoln, it slew the pardoning power,_ and by its own act placed authority in the hands of one of sterner mold and fiery soul--one deeply wronged by its atrocities. Now let it receive the reward of its own hands! This is the demand of mercy as well as justice, that after generations may see the expiation of treason is too costly for its commission. Mercy to the many demands the punishment of the guilty. The assassin of the Chief Magistrate must be found. Though all seas must be crossed, all mountains ascended, all valleys traversed, he _must_ be found! If he hide him under the mane of the British lion, beneath the paw of the Russian bear or among the lilies of France, he must be found and plucked thence for punishment! If there be no extradition treaty, then the strong hands of our power must make one. He was a tragedian. Had he never read-- "If the assassination Could trammel up the consequences and catch With this surcease, success; that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all _here,_ * * * * * * * * * * |
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