Seventh Regiment National Guards State of New York
Headquarters Seventh Regiment Armory,
New York, April 29, 1865.
At a special meeting of this association, held this evening, the following expressions of its sentiments and feelings were unanimously adopted:
The national joy has been suddenly turned to mourning. Exuberant congratulations at the brilliant victories of the Union armies have given place to lamentations of grief and sadness. The glorious banner of our liberty, proudly floating from every housetop, emblem of our strength, now droops with the sombre draperies of woe, at half-mast. A great and good man has fallen. Stricken down by the hand of an assassin, in a moment of fancied security and relaxation from cares of state, without note of warning. Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, is dead.
Whereas the parricidal hand has been nerved by this wicked rebellion which, for four years, has been striving to overthrow our government, we desire, in common with all good and loyal citizens, to place upon record our utter detestation of the horrid crime, and our unqualified condemnation of the cause which induced or incites to assassination—the most odious means known to civilization for the removal of an enemy.
And whereas at a time when, by the surrender and dispersion of the rebel armies before the invincible hosts of the Union, the so-called confederacy was fast crumbling away, and the prospect of speedy peace gave us the right to expect no more bloodshed, the very head of the nation—the highest representative of a free people in all the world—is called at such a time to give his life’s blood in defence of the right: Now, therefore,
Resolved, That, in humble submission to the decree of Almighty God, who, [Page 678] in His own inscrutable providence, permits this great crime to be visited upon us, we reverently and devoutly pray that the wisdom which governs the universe, and permits not “even a sparrow to fall to the ground without His knowledge,” may so guide our hearts and direct our minds that we may duly realize the lesson intended to be taught us as a nation by this afflicting dispensation.
Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sympathies to the widow and family of the illustrious dead. We mourn with them for the loss of a common protector and father; one whose heart ever beat with the largest humanity; who wept with those who wept over the fallen heroes of this desperate struggle; who expended his efforts to relieve the oppressed; and who succeeded in setting the captives free.
Resolved, That the eulogy of Abraham Lincoln is already written in the hearts of the American people. The mighty outpourings of a generous nation to cast a look or shed a tear upon the remains of all that was mortal of the noble patriot, testify to the reverence and love with which he was regarded by all classes—that love which he so magnanimously reciprocated and manifested in all his public acts.
Resolved, That, as Washington is revered and honored as the Father of his Country and the founder of our government, so will Abraham Lincoln be enrolled as the great martyr to human liberty, and who gave his life in support and defence of that government. Together their names will be blended in one immortal wreath—both among the names that were not born to die.
Resolved, That in the exigencies of a great struggle for the preservation of its life, this government puts into the hands of its President greater powers than were ever before, in the history of the world, voluntary bestowed upon one man; yet, in the exercise of this power, Abraham Lincoln proved himself qualified for its proper uses. He was wise in council, calm in judgment, unmoved by passion, actuated by considerations of public good, the love of his country, the preservation of the Union, the protection and perpetuity of the government, and the welfare of the republic.
Resolved, That, although the Executive dies, the government lives. Our Constitution has wisely provided for continuous and permanent existence. By this provision, the mantle of Elijah has fallen upon Elisha. We believe that in Andrew Johnson, the representative head of the government, the people have an earnest, able, sincere, and tried statesman and patriot. We tender to his administration of the difficult task imposed upon him by this blow our entire confidence and support. In his exercise of the powers intrusted to him, we have perfect faith that he will so temper justice with mercy that the great criminals, the leaders of this rebellion, the authors and abettors of the murder of hundreds of thousands of our loyal people, shall be made to suffer the penalties that violated laws impose for their crime. We calmly rely on his own declaration, “that mercy to one is cruelty to thousands,” and that “treason is a crime, and must be punished;” and, although we advocate no measures for revenge, we commend just punishment in vindication of outraged law.
The mortal remains of the beloved President have been borne from the national capital towards his own home. The bitter grief of the people has been manifested in every step of their progress. This association has borne its humble part in the escort through our metropolis. The funeral knell—the muffled drum—the sad and solemn procession of the martial hosts—the sombre tread of the citizen mourners, have accompanied them towards their final resting place; and still they are moving on. Soon they will be deposited in their last abode, there to await the final resurrection. The ashes may remain in the tomb that will soon enshroud them, but the monument that will arise to the memory of the great departed will be more enduring than granite column or marble urn, for it [Page 679] will be in the hearts of a grateful people, and bear on its tablet the record of a life given for his country. The highest honor of all ascriptions to his memory is, that Abraham Lincoln died a martyr to human liberty. His spirit has ascended to the throne on high, there to receive the reward of “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Officers, 1865.
Colonel—Washington R. Vermilye.
Lieutenant Colonel—Jackson S. Schultz.
Major—Philetus H. Holt.
Adjutant—Edwin R. Tremain.
Quartermaster—Andrew Hoogland.
Paymaster—Thomas M. Adriance.
Chaplain—Reverend S. D. Denison.
Commissary—Gilbert L. Arrowsmith.
Captains—H. C. Shumway, W. A. Pond, C. H. Loutrel, E. A. Brooks, William D. Briggs, Alvin Denike, Charles Chamberlain, I. B. Dickinson.
Lieutenants—Thomas Franklin, Albro Howell, John A. Hadden, Charles B. Bostwick, Henry A. Kerr, Waldron Young, Asher Taylor, John W. Salter.