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Richmond. Until the preceding afternoon no black person had been permitted to set foot upon that ground. But now it swarmed with emancipated slaves. They were frantic with excitement. They sang, they danced, they shouted hallelujah! They were expecting something, but what I did not know. Suddenly a great hush fell upon us all, and the President, in an open carriage, was driven into the square. Slowly his vehicle moved as he bowed and threw his salutations to those who were ready to worship him. The carriage crossed the open space and halted in the street beyond. Mr. Lincoln arose from the back seat, on which he had been sitting, turned half round, faced the great multitude of blacks who thronged the area behind his carriage, and reached out his hands till he stood in the attitude of a minister pronouncing the benediction. Thus he remained, without speaking a word, for more than a minute, while the carriage stood still; and, when the horses moved forward, in the same attitude he was driven out of sight." (")

The President made a second visit to Richmond on April 5, and held a conference with Mr. Campbell.

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"I had," said Mr. Campbell to Mr. Lincoln, "an interview with Jefferson Davis, Benjamin, and Breckinridge just before they left the city. I said to them: The military power of the Confederacy is broken; its independence is hopeless. It only remains for us to make the best terms we can. The trouble is, the President of the United States cannot enter into negotiations with you, but he recognizes the States. The troops of Virginia will recognize the authority of the Legislature.' If you, Mr. President, will permit that body to convene, it will doubtless recall them."

"Judge Campbell," the President replied, "let us have no misunderstanding. I will give you in black and white my only terms:

"1. The territorial integrity of the Republic.

"2. No change of Executive or Congressional action on the subject of slavery.

"3. No armistice."

"Could you not make a modification of the third point in relation to an armistice?" Campbell asked.

"I will not," the President replied, "negotiate with men so long as they are fighting against us. The last election established the deliberate determination of the country."

He was lenient, charitable, but inflexible in his decision to secure abiding peace. No further attempt was made to secure a modification of the terms.

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The President returned to Fortress Monroe, and visited the hos pitals. Although weary and burdened with care, he spent sev April 8, eral hours with the sick and suffering, informing them that the war would soon be over, and thanking them for what they had accomplished.

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NOTES TO CHAPTER XXVII.

(') Mary Tucker Magill, "Independent," January, 1886.

(2) E. A. Pollard, "Lost Cause," p. 694.

(3) General Ewell to J. B. Lossing, "Independent," March 11, 1866.

(*) Ibid.

(*) William Burnett Wright, "Congregationalist," vol. xl., No. 22.

(") Mr. Wallace to C. C. Carpenter, "Century Magazine," June, 1890, p. 306.
(7) A Confederate Courier's Experience, "Watchman," February 3, 1866.
(*) Ibid.

(') Author's account in Boston "Journal," written April 4, 1865.
(10) William Burnett Wright, "Congregationalist," vol. xl., No. 22.

IN

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE CLOSING SCENE.

N the farm-house of William McLean, at Appomattox, General Lee surrendered the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to General Grant. The thrilling news ran along the lines of the Union army. A mighty shout rent the air. Men cheered and yelled with irrepressible delight. No more fighting nor weary marches. No ghastly wounds; but home, wife, and children awaited them. Thenceforth joy, peace, and rest!

April 9, 1865.

President Lincoln had returned to Washington. He had been but a short time in the executive mansion when the following despatch came from General Grant:

'General Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia this afternoon on terms proposed by myself."

It was the supreme moment of Mr. Lincoln's life. The country was saved, the nation redeemed. All he had labored for, lived for, prayed for, had been accomplished. Bells rang, cannon thundered, thanks ascended to God in every city, town, and hamlet.

A multitude gathered in the grounds around the White House to express their congratulations. Beneficent the countenance of April 11, the President as he looked into the radiant faces of his fellowcitizens.

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"We meet this evening in gladness of heart," he said. "The surrender of the insurgent army gives hope of righteousness and peace. . . In the midst of this, He from whom all blessings flow must not be forgotten."

During the war there had been much apprehension among the people for the safety of the President.

"You are not sufficiently careful of yourself," said a member of the Cabinet to Mr. Lincoln, just before his re-election. "There are bad men in Washington."

The President took a package of letters from his desk.

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