has lost a bright Christian example, a pure patriot and an efficient
executive officer; and in whom we recognised "one of the noblest
works of God, an honest man ; " Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That we do hereby express our utter abhorrence of the
fiendish and barbarous act which has deprived us, in the midst of
rejoicing, of an able leader and an honored President.
Resolved, That we believe that his blood with that of thousands
more of our countrymen who have been murdered by wicked and
ambitious men striving to overthrow the best Government which
has ever blessed the earth, calls for the execution of inexorable
justice to all the leaders of this foul rebellion.
Resolved, That we have no sympathy with those who are ready to
receive with open arms leading traitors ; and who style their
dark deeds of treason, murder, and perjury, acts of patriotism,
magnanimity, and pureness of purpose.
Resolved, That we do give our earnest support to the present
National Executive, Andrew Johnson, who has been thus suddenly
called upon to assume the responsibilities of the office.
37
Resolved, That in common with every loyal citizen of the United
States, we do sincerely mourn his loss, and tender our heartfelt
sympathy to the family and members of the Cabinet of our late
Chief Magistrate.
Resolved, That as a mark of respect to his memory, the Trustees
of this Council are hereby instructed to have our Council Chamber
appropriately draped in mourning for the space of six months, and
that this Council as a body take part with our fellow-citizens in the
funeral obsequies, as recommended by the municipal authorities.
Amor S. Redstbbake, "|
James M. Nesmith, j
Joseph H, Weston, \ Committee,
Paul A. Libe, I
Geoege L. Simpson, J
James H. Mearns, Q.
A. S. Redstbeake, R. S,
38
RELIANCE COUNCIL,
No. 40, 0. U. A. M.
At a regular stated meeting of the above Council, the following
Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Whekeas, The nation has been deprived of its honored Chief
Magistrate, Abraham Lincoln, by the hand of an assassin, nerved
to the infernal deed by traitors who designed that the Government
also should cease to exist, at a moment when by the magnanimity
of his leniency toward them he called forth their surprise ; when he
was about witnessing the successful issue of his and his country's
efforts to suppress a wicked and causeless rebellion, and when his .
heart so full of kindness, even for his enemies, throbbing joyously
with the prospect of peace and united happiness, at such a time he
fell, overwhelming the nation with lamentation and mourning ;
Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That the members of this Council deem it a high duty
to express their abhorrence of the fiendish act that deprived him of
life, and their detestation of those who in any manner were accessory
to it.
Resolved, Thsit the blood of the slain calls for the sternest justice
to be executed upon the leaders of this accursed rebellion.
Resolved, That as a ruler, his kindness of heart and firmness of
character, conjoined with his great abilities, render his loss such
that fills our hearts with unaffected sadness.
Resolved, That we will earnestly stipport those who are left to
administer the Government, praying that they may imitate the
steady purpose and constant policy of the lamented deceased, that
ere long we may again become a united people, and enjoy the
blessings of peace, prosperity, and happiness.
I. L. ElSENBRET, "i
W. U. Butcher, > Committee.
A. L. Dewees. )
Attest, W. U. Butcher, R. S.
J. F. Troct, C.
DILIGENT COUNCIL,
No. 42, 0. U. A. M.
At a regular stated meeting of the above Council, the following
Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Whereas, The assassination of Abraham Lincoln, President of
the United States, at the Capitol, and the murderous assault upon
the Secretary of State, while lying disabled at his home, by
emisarie» of the slave power of the South, has overwhelmed the
nation with anguish and filled all loyal hearts with indignation and
sorrow, in that which should have been throughout the Union the
hour of congratulation and joy ; and, whereas, for the space of four
years, traitors in arms have warred against the Government of the
United States, and have bathed their hands in the best blood of the
nation ; and upon the evening of the day on which conquered ahd
humiliated, they were compelled to witness the restoration of the
old flag to its legitimate place upon the battlements of Fort Sumpter,
the herald of freedom to a land redeemed, their hired assassins
crowned the infamy of the rebellion, by stealing upon the secure
moments of the revered heads of the nation, and by the perpetration
of a crime without a name, effected that from the contemplation of
which humanity turns with mourning and execration ;
Therefore, be it —
Resolved, By Diligent Council, No. 42, 0. of U, A. M., That the
sad event which deprived our country of its Chief Magistrate, and
threw a nation into tears, is far removed from all party relations
and affinities, and is of a kind to call upon the Council for an
expression of sympathy with all who mourn the death of President
Lincoln, as a national calamity, and with all who regard his death
as a national dishonor.
Resolved, Tliat the virtues of ' ' Honesty, Industry and Sobriety, ' '
which mark the character of Abraham Lincoln, as a man, endears
his memory, and fully justifies all our regret, that the cardinal
virtues which constitute the basis of our Order, should have lost an
exponent so illustrious in his position and beneficial in his practice.
40
Resolved, That the private virtues and genial disposition of Mr.
Lincoln manifested themselves in his public acts, and that the
beauty of his domestic life and the gentleness of his social bearings
were consistent with the humanity and charity of his official life,
and the grief which the nation now indulges in, and in which the
Council participates, is for a good and faitliful man, whose only
desire seemed to be to restore to the nation, peace and prosperity.
Resolved, That we heartily commend to God the wife that is
widowed, and the children that are orphaned by this sad calamity,
and with the same devout reliance on our Heavenly Father, we
commend to His holy care the nation that was widowed by the
ruthless hand of the assassin, and we beseech him to govern, direct,
and bless this Republic. •
Resolved, That the time has now fully arrived, when the nation
must look on treason, wherever it exists, as a crime, and as such
be denounced and punished; that justice, strict and inexorable,
shall exert its power and the laws, and the Government be
maintained with the dignity and propriety becoming a united,
sovereign, and free people.
Resolved, That while as a people we ask not for vengeance against
the vanquished, we deserve protection from any similar attempt in
the future, and hereby call upon his Excellency, Andrew Johnson,
President of the United States, to administer those laws against
traitors which will give to loyal men and loyal women, their fullest
rights, and mete out to traitors, of whatever class or condition, their
justly deserved reward.
Resolved, That we endorse the principle enunciated by our present
respected Chief Magistrate, that mercy toward the rebels is inj ustice
to the nation, an insult to the heroes who have laid down their lives
in defence of their country, and an act of gross inhumanity toward
the thousands of our sons and brothers, who, half starved in rebel
prisons, and to the support of his administration we hereby pledge
our full and undivided support.
Resolved, That as a further token of respect and honor for our
late lamented President, the cliarter frame of this Council be
draped in mourning for the space of six months.
Francis G. Lppton, "1
A. EcKHART, C. F. D. RoMiG, V Committee.
J. Myers, R. S. Wm. New. , )
41
PHILADELPHIA COUNCIL,
No. 43, 0. U. A. M.
At a regular stated meeting of the above Council, the following
Preamble and Resolutions were adopted :
Whereas, We have heard with unfeigned sorrow of th§ deliberate
assassination of that great and good man, Abraham Lincoln, late
Chief Magistrate of our country, who has been murdered in a
cowardly and brutal manner by those whom he always treated
with kindness and pity, and who have by this means deprived
themselves of their best friend ; Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That in the death of Abraham Lincoln, our country
has lost a true friend to liberty and her free institutions ; a Christian
and patriot possessed of those cardinal virtties which we, as United
American Mechanics, so highly esteem, viz : ' ' Honesty, Industry,
and Sobriety.'
Resolved, That we view with unutterable horror and detestation
the fiendish and brutal act, which in the midst of rejoicing, has
deprived our country of so able a leader and efficient executive
officer.
Resolved, That we believe this great crime, with innumerable
other dark deeds, committed and sanctioned by the enemies of our
Grovernmetit, call for the execution of inexorable justice upon all the
leading and responsible men engaged in this foul rebellion, whether
at home or abroad.
Resolved, That we loathe and detest those in our midst who
sympathize with treason, and look upon them as worse than traitors
in open arms against the Government.
Resolved, That we hereby tender our heartfelt sympathy to the
family and members of the Cabinet of our late Chief Magistrate.
Resolved, That we give our undivided support to his successor,
Andrew Johnson, who has been thus suddenly called upon to
assume the responsibilities of the high office.
John S. Hemphill, 1
Jacob Engelman,' V Committee.
Paul Bannen, R. S. James Devereux. )
42
MOUNT VERNON COUNCIL,
No. 44, 0. U. A. M.
At a stated meeting of the above Council, held April 20, 1865, the
following Preamble and Resolutions were adopted :
Whekeas, It has pleased an all-wise Providence to remove from
our midst, by death, our noble, patriotic, and beloved President,
Abraham Lincoln, who was cowardly stricken down by the hand
of an assassin, at a time when peace was about to be proclaimed
throughout the land ; Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That while we bow in humble submission to the will of
Him, who doeth all things well, we caunot but feel the loss, this
our beloved country has sustained, in the death of so noble and
magnanimous a statesman in this, the hour of victory.
Resolved, That we tender to his bereaved family, in this, their
hour of affliction, our sincere and heartfelt sympathy, and
recommend them to the guiding hand and protecting power of Him
whom it has pleased in His infinite mercy and wisdom, to remove
from their midst, a fond husband, a loving father, and a zealous
patriot.
Resolved, As a token of respect to the memory of our lamented
President, Abeaham Lincoln, that the charter, roll, regalia, and
other property of Mt. Vernon Council, No, 44, 0. U, A. M., be
draped in mourning for the space of sixty ("60) days, and that each
member of the Council be requested to wear a suitable badge of
mourning for the same period, and that a committee of five be
appointed to carry the foregoing resolutions into effect.
Feank Atees,
Geo. W. Whidden,
Chas. H. Sawyeb, \ Committee,
Thos. H. Pickebing,
Alfred Tylee.
Fbanklin Atres, (7.
Attest, James W. Breeding, R. S.
43
BADIANT STAR COUNCIL,
No. 45, 0. U. A. M. ,
At a stated meeting of the above Council, held April 25, 1865, the
following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted :
WfiEKEAS, The Chief Magistrate of the nation, and twice chosen
representative of the American people, Abraham Lincoln, has
fallen by the hand of a wretched and fiendish assassin ; struck down
in the presence of his family, and in the hour of the natiou's
rejoicing at the triumph over armed treason; Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That while we in common with our fellow-citizens
mourn and deplore the sad calamity that has overtaken us, we feel
at a loss for words to adeq^uately express our detestation and
abhorrenca of a crime so enormous and unparalleled.
Resolved, That while we are amazed at the deep-dyed depravity
that could prompt such an act, we well know it cannot retard the
work of human progress ; but on the contrary will recoil with treble
force on its perpetrators and abettors whoever or wherever they
may be.
Ye foes to freedom and to human rights,
Go, stop the sun, reverse all nature's laws,
Turn from their course the swift meandering lights ;
Arrest the progress, then, of Freedom's cause.
Resolved, That after years of hardship and industrious toil from
his youth up, ("in which we behold the personification of the
American working man,^ and of care and anxiety in his high
position, far beyond the common lot of rulers ; although he was by
44
malignant liate, and blind and aimless revenge, cut off from that
repose from labor so j ustly his due ; it is a satisfaction to know
that he lived to see the virtual triumph of the Union cause, to
which he had so unwaveringly and unJ.inchingly adhered.
Itesolved, That in our lamented and honored late Chief Magistrate,
we recognize those traits of public and private virtue which shall
ever command oiir respect and veneration for his memory; and in
God we trust, that He will have us as a nation in His keeping,
overrule this event for our good, and administer consolation to
the stricken widow and her children.
Resolved, That as a further mark of respect for the memory of
the mighty dead, our flag and charter be draped in mourning for tho
space of six months.
Jas. N. Calelt,
W. M. B. Ball,
A. H. Conway,
H. F. Johnson,
E. L. Calelt, Jk. ^
• Committee.
J. W. Stout, C.
Attest, Wm. Wood, R. S. '
45
READING COUNCIL,
No. 46, 0. U. A. M.
At a regular stated meeting of the above Coancil, the followiiig
Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Whekeas, At a time when the heart of the nation was made glad,
and the loyal citizens thereof were rejoicing over our victories,
gained by our gallant soldiers upon the field of battle, when hope
flashed through Ihe minds of all, of a speedy and honorable peace ;
we were struck dumb with grief and indignation, when the mournful
tidings were heralded throughout the land, that our beloved, noble,
patriotic, and God-sent President, Abeaham Lincoln, had been
assassinated by an infamous and dastard traitor ; Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That we drape our hall in mourning for the space of
four years.
Resolved, That we deeply and sincerely deplore and sympathize
with all good and loyal citizens in the loss that has befallen the
nation, of our purest and best friend ; one who has shown himself
capable of guiding the Ship of State through the storms of her
adversity, and bringing her in safety to , a haven of peace and
security.
Resolved, That in our estimation, as a national man, Abeaham
LnfcoLN, stands second to no other of his day and generation, and
we believe equal in worth and purity, to the fathers of our country —
the immortal Washington, Jeffeeson, and Jackson.
Resolved, That we sincerely sympathize with the bereaved family,
and pray that they may receive heavenly consolation.
Resolved, That the above be sent to the State Council Secretary
for publication, as ordered at the last meeting in Lancaster City.
Dr. D. G. Schgenee, 'i
Amos Huyett, > Committee.
Howaed Benson. j
46
EELIEF COUNCIL,
No. 47, 0. U. A. M.
At a stated meeting of the above Council, held May 17, 1865, the
following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Whekeas, The members of this Council have been stricken with
profound grief and awe at the sudden death by the hand of a
blood thirsty and parricidal assassin, of Abraham Lincoln, late
President of the United States, at a moment when he had attained
the highest pinnacle of renown, when he had crushed the unholy
rebellion that for a time threatened to destroy this great and glorious
Republic, and had proved to the world the practicability and stability
of democratic institutions and popular sovereignty under the most
severe trials, when, with charity in his heart towards all, he was
earnestly inculcating lessons of mercy and magnanimity on the
part of the victorious people towards their vanquished brethren ;
Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That the members of this Council view the assassination
of the President, with feelings of mingled horror and detestation as
a deed without a parallel on the page of history, as a crime agahist
humanity and liberty, and shrouding the name of the perpetrator
like that of Cain with eternal infamy.
Resolved, That while we deplore this terrible event as a national
calamity, we are not unmindful of the affliction of the bereaved
family of the martyr President, and offer them our most respectful
sympathy.
Resolved, That while we feel the full force of the blow that has
fallen on the nation, we have unswerving faith that the same Divine
Power which blessed the birth of this great republic, and which has
guided it through paths of peril and carnage to its latest triumph,
â– will conduct it through its present gloom to the enjoyment in the
future of unclouded glory, greatness and prosperity.
Resolved, That the charter of the Council be draped in mourning
for the space of thirty days.
Chas. Baker, 'i
Chas. Banes, > Committee.
A. H. Perkinpine. )
V. Reese, (7,
Attest, Chas. W. Schaefek, R. S.
47
FREDONIA COUNCILj
No. 52, 0. U. A. M.
At a meeting of the above Council, tlie following Preamble and
Resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, We have beard with deep sorrow that Abraham
Lincoln, who has filled the position of Chief Magistrate of our nation
for the past four years, has been stricken down by the hand of a
midnight assassin, and that by his death we are deprived of the
services of a noble man, who, by his honesty of purpose and
goodness of heart has won the respect and esteem of all loyal
persons, it becomes us as American Mechanics to mourn his loss,
but while we mourn let us remember that though dead he still
liveth ; Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That while we feel our hearts stricken with profound
sorrow, we rest in confident assurance that God doeth all things and
wiU still have our beloved country in His holy keeping, and so
order the issue of this great calamity that we will all see His
goodness in this terrible event which he has sufl'ered to befall our
nation.
Resolved, That we recognize in this atrocious deed the vile spirit
of the rebellion, and heartily express our hopes that the Government
will see that the full measures of a righteous retribution be meted
out to the instigators and accomplices of this deed of blood.
Resolved, That in Abraham Lincoln we recognize a true patriot,
and while memory lasts we will revere him as a second Washington,
and justly entitled to be placed side by side with the Father of our
Country.
48
Resolved, That we do sympathize with the family of our deceased
President in their affliction, prayerfully commending them to God
who has promised to be a father to the fatherless, and a husband
to the widow.
Resolved, That we do pray to Almighty God to protect and direct
his successor, Andrew Johnson, in the discharge of the arduous duties
devolving upon liim, and to give wisdom to his advisors in this dark
hour of our nation's trouble, and that this cursed rebellion may soon
be blotted from existence, and that peace and prosperity may once
again crown our beloved country.
Isaiah Ahjt, "i
John Server, > Committee.
E. T. Miller, )
H. L. STKOCKBiriE, C,
Attest, Geo. W. Smith, Itec. Sec.
y 49
SCHUYLKILL COUNCIL,
No. 56, 0. U. A. M.
At a meeting of the above Couucil, the following Preamble and
Eesolutions were adopted:
Whereas, While rejoicing in the pleasing hopes of peace
afforded lay the successes of the national armies, the American
Mechanics, in common with their fellow-countrymen, have been
appalled by the great calamity, which, in the death of the Chief
Magistrate has overtaken them, that the ruler of a nation who
derived his high of&ce from inheritance or by appoiiAment, and who
had used his great trust for the maintenance of the Union, should
be assassinated by some victim of his power, has not in the history
of human affairs been of rare occurrence ; but it has been reserved
for this age, so proud of its refinement and its civilization, to*
furnish the only instance of the murder of an executive chosen by
the suffrages of a free people, and uniting as did the late Presid-ent,
a meekness of disposition and loveliness of temper that won the
affections of all with whom he had to do ; the audacity of such a
crime is without a parallel, as if it were possible to augment the
wickedness of his act, the assassin followed it by the cry of sic
semper tyrannis of one who is not known to have had a personal
enemy in the land, who is not charged with having inflicted a single
personal wrong, whose conspicuous, virtuous and proverbial honesty
of purpose was endearing him to every heart, and whose only
doubtful virtue was his leniency to his country's foes ; the country
looks for any wrong inflicted on the marderer by his victim, but
looks in vain ; moved by this visitation of Providence, the members
of Schuylkill Council, No. 56, of United American Mechanics, of
Philadelphia, in making this public expression of the grief which
60
pervades all hearts, recommend to their fellow-mechanics, a renewed
devotion of themselves and their all, to the safety and perpetuity
of their beloved country, a hearty and generous support to Andrew
Johnson, whom it has pleased God to call to administer the affairs of
the nation, a recollection that the life of its most eminent citizens is
not an absolute necessity to the great Republic, which cannot, but
by annihilation, die ; Therefore, be it —
Resolved, By Schuylkill Council of Philadelphia, that we bow in
submission to the dispensations of an all- wise Creator, that the feeble
efforts of human wisdom are valueless to fathom the great designs of
God, that faith in His Providence sustains and encourages us to hope
and firmly believe that his eye is watching, and his hand guiding
the destinies of our beloved country.
Resolved, That, though Abraham Lincoln is dead, the principles of
which he was the honored exponent, still survive him, and that his
death will serve to cement us in a more determined and united effort
to subdue the rebellion that has cost us so many valuable lives, and
the expenditure of so much treasure, culminating in the heinous
murder of so pure a man, and so excellent a Chief Magistrate.
Resolved, That the charter and flag be draped in mourning for
the period of 60 days, and the members wear a badge of mourning
on their left arm for a period of one month.
Robert M. Evans, "l
Thos. F. B. Tapper, |
Robert A. Torrence, \ Committee.
SAMnEL A. Heins, j
George W. Jenkins. J
John W. Bakccs, C.
Attest, George W. Heins, R. S.
51
MAY FLOWER COUNCIL,
No. 59, 0. U. A. M.
At a regular stated meeting of the above Council, held April 27,
1865, the following Preamble and Resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, The dastardly and traitorous assassination of our
beloved Chief Magistrate, Abraham Liscoln, at an hour when the
nation was rejoicing over successive victories, the prospect of an
early peace, and the hope of a glorious future for this Union, has
stirred the heart of every loyal man of the nation with unutterable
anguish ; and, whereas, it becomes all loyal citizens to express their
utter abhorrence of a deed so fiendish, so malignant, committed
upon our illustrious President, whose purity of life, whose integrity
of principle, and singleness of purpose, with a heart overflowing
with mercy and the milk of human kindness, had won for him the
affection of every loyal citizen as well as the most profound
admiration, even of his enemies ; Therefore, be it —
Resolved, That we deeply deplore the loss of a great and good
father, whose purity and singleness has secured a place in the hearts
of his countrymen Tequal to that held by the Father of his Country ;
that to his bereaved family and relations we tender our sincere
sympathy.
Resolved, That while we mourn the loss of the departed, slain in cold
blood by the damning hand of an assassin, treason's tool, we take
this opportunity to express our condemnation of any policy of
conciliation towards the men who have also assassinated our brave