Resolved, That we trust the mysterious dispensation of Almighty God, in permitting at this juncture of affairs in the United States the removal of ABRAHAM LINCOLN by the hand of death, will be so ordered and overruled as not to prove detrimental to the best interests of the republic, and that although the leading instrument in the conduct of affairs during their present unhappy struggle to an issue giving promise of peace has been removed from his high position, the progress of true freedom will be onward, and the principles of liberty perpetuated throughout the length and breadth of the land. Resolved, That as Canadian citizens connected with the British empire, we but express, we believe, the opinions of all our fellow-subjects in deploring the removal of ABRAHAM LINCOLN at this present important epoch in the world's history, believing him to be desirous of maintaining friendly relations with other nations; and that, in connection with the honorable Mr. Seward, he was prepared to promote and advance the best interests of the world, by endeavoring to perpetuate the good feeling and friendly intercourse which have so long existed between the United States and European powers. Resolved, That we feel grateful for the kind interposition of Almighty God in preventing the cowardly assassination of the honorable Mr. Seward and his son, on the evening of Friday last, and trust that their lives will be spared to prove a blessing to their country in carrying forward to completion those plans inaugurated by their late President for the restoration of peace, and the reestablishment of liberty on a firm basis. Resolved, That the mayor of this town, as chairman of this meeting, be requested to forward a copy of these resolutions to Washington on behalf of the citizens of Sherbrooke. J. G. ROBERTSON, Mayor. ST. THOMAS, CANADA WEST, April 19, 1865. At a public meeting of the inhabitants of St. Thomas, Canada West, on Wednesday, the 19th of April, 1865, the mayor, Thomas Arkell, esq., presided, and the following resolutions were passed unanimously. The meeting was opened by religious services, in which the ministers of different denominations took part. Moved by Doctor Southwick, ex-M. P. P., seconded by the Reverend Doctor Caulfield 1. That we, the mayor and inhabitants of St. Thomas, in public meeting assembled, hereby declare our unutterable horror at the crime by which the valuable life and labors of the excellent late President of the United States were so dreadfully closed. Moved by Daniel Hauvey, esq., seconded by his honor Judge Hughes— 2. That we regard the assassination of President LINCOLN and the diabolical assault on Secretary Seward as indelible stains upon the civilization of the age, and a special disgrace to our race and language. Moved by Sheriff Munro, seconded by the Reverend Mr. Cuthbertson 3. That we desire to express our sincere sympathy with the people of the United States in the great and awful loss which they have sustained by the murder of their President-an act which has this day draped that nation in mourning, and will cause a shudder of horror to run through every civilized nation in the world. Moved by the Reverend Mr. Ames, seconded by W. E. Murray, esq., of Aylmer 4. That we express our deepest sympathy with the widow and family of President LINCOLN, in their bereavement. Moved by Colin McDougal, esq., seconded by Mr. Hodge 5. That the proceedings of this meeting be engrossed and forwarded to the British ambassador at Washington, and published in the local newspapers, the London Free Press, and the Globe and Leader, of Toronto. Moved by C. D. Paul, esq., seconded by Nelson Moore, esq. 6. That the mayor leave the chair and Doctor Southwick take the same. The thanks of the meeting were then given to the mayor, and the meeting was closed by the Reverend Doctor Caulfield pronouncing the benediction. [SEAL.] THOMAS ARKELL, Mayor, Chairman. THOMAS HODGE, Secretary. At a meeting of the town council of the borough of Sheffield, held on the 3d day of May, 1865, it was Unanimously resolved, That this council unites in the universal expression of indignation and profound sorrow at the assassination of Mr. LINCOLN, the late President of the United States of America, and desires to record its horror and detestation at the treasonable and wicked act which has deprived that country of so able and good a man, at a time when his services were so important; and to express its entire sympathy with the government and people of the United States of America. This council also desires to convey the expression of its deepest sympathy to Mrs. Lincoln and family, and begs sincerely to condole with them in their heavy bereavement. [SEAL.] THOMAS JESSOP, Mayor. Resolution passed at a meeting held by the inhabitants of the borough of Sheffield, England. At a meeting of the inhabitants of the borough of Sheffield, in the county of York, England, held on Monday, May 1, 1865, Thomas Jessop, esq., in the chair, it was Unanimously resolved, That this meeting condemns in the strongest possible sense the dastardly and cruel murder of President LINCOLN, in the hour of his clemency, and records its utmost abhorrence of the atrocious miscreants who planned and the wretches who perpetrated the hideous, detestable, and unparalleled crime; and that the Right Honorable Earl Russel be requested to transmit this resolution, in the manner most befitting the occasion, to the government and citizens of the United States, assuring them of the profound and sincere regret of the inhabitants of Sheffield at the bereavement, and their firm hope that, as in the past, so with this sad occurrence, the United States will show by their calmness, wisdom, and energy, that though of appalling magnitude, their loss is not irretrievable. THOMAS JESSOP, Mayor and Chairman. Address of the inhabitants of Sheffield, England. SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, May 1, 1865. MADAM: The inhabitants of Sheffield, in public meeting assembled, beg permission to approach you in the hour of your grief, to assure you how deeply and tenderly they sympathize with you in your great sorrow. They are mournfully reminded of the bereavement of their own beloved sovereign, and are well aware that time alone can heal the deep and terrible wound which has been inflicted upon you. Without trespassing further upon the sanctity of your sorrow, they desire to express the fervent hope that you may find consolation in the contemplation of the noble and righteous life of him who has been so suddenly taken away, in the thought that his influence over the minds of his countrymen, and his power to promote the great cause for which he would willingly have died, has been increased by his tragical martyrdom; and, above all, in the love of that God whom he served, and who has promised "to comfort all them that mourn," "to be the Father of the fatherless and the husband of the widow." Signed on behalf of the meeting: Mrs. LINCOLN, THOMAS JESSOP, Mayor and Chairman. Widow of his Excellency Abraham Lincoln, THE LATE PRESIDENT LINCOLN. Public sympathy-Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. At a meeting of the council of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures, held at the office of the chamber the 27th of April, 1865, the president (Robert Jackson, esq.) in the chair, it was moved by Joshua Moss, esq., seconded by W. C. Corsan, esq., and resolved That the council take this the earliest opportunity of expressing, in the strongest terms, the horror and disgust which they feel at the outrage recently perpetrated in Washington, in consequence of which his Excellency President LINCOLN has lost his life, and the lives of Mr. Secretary Seward and other persons of distinction have been greatly endangered, if not actually destroyed. That the council beg also to express their deep sympathy with the American people in the loss, at such a crisis, of one so recently selected for a second time to fill the office of President. In the state of affairs consequent upon the recent successes of the federal arms, the kindly feeling and the evident anxiety to smooth the way to the removal of animosities displayed by President LINCOLN in the hour of triumph render his removal, in the opinion of this council, a calamity to all sections of the community. That in thus giving expression to their feelings of disgust and abhorrence at the crime which has been committed, and their sympathy with the American people, the council are convinced that they are giving utterance to the feelings which these terrible occurrences have excited in the breast of the whole British nation. ROBERT JACKSON, President of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. CUTLERS' HALL, Sheffield, April 29, 1865. DEAR SIR: I am directed by the Cutlers' Company to send you the accompanying resolution passed yesterday by the company on the assassination of Mr. President LINCOLN, and have to request that you will forward it to the proper quarter. I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, CHARLES ATKINSON, Master Cutler. G. J. ABBOT, Esq., American Consul, Sheffield. Resolved, That this company desires to express its deep sorrow and indignation at the assassination of Mr. LINCOLN, President of the United States, and to record, in common with the whole British nation, its profound sympathy with the government and people of America at the very serious loss they have sustained by the atrocious crime which has just been perpetrated. Address of the Sheffield Secular Society. HONORED MADAM: From this country there will reach you addresses of condolence and respect from all classes. The English nation has spoken with one voice of deep and sincere sympathy for the fate of your illustrious husband, of detestation of the vile and cowardly murderer who struck him down, and of grief for the bitter bereavement you have sustained. From the Queen upon our throne, from the leaders of our parliamentary parties, from our municipal and public bodies, down to the humblest associations, there has gone forth the most earnest and unanimous expression of sorrow for the deplorable loss the great American republic has suffered, in the violent death of its eminent and honored President; and the Sheffield Secular Society desires to put upon record, and to convey to you and to your family, its sincere concern for this the most grievous event of our times. Our principles teach us to regard reason and liberty as the two great forces of political progress. We are attached to that great doctrine of democracy which regards the whole people as entitled to equal conditions of personal improvement, of social prosperity and civil equality; and when the head of the great American federation, which represents these principles, is struck down, we regard it as a crime against humanity and the liberties of the human race. Another reason why we regret the fate of Mr. LINCOLN, and why we honor his memory, is, that Mr. LINCOLN not only rose from the people, but he exalted the people among whom he arose. His career is a historic proof that industry applied to study, animated by honesty, sustained by patience and perennial good will, may result in a commanding capacity, placing the possessor on a level with the most distinguished statesmen of Europe, and higher than any king. The courage, persistence and moderation with which he advanced, and the impassable heroism with which he became the deliverer of the slave, crowned his life with a kinglier glory than any which attaches to any name in the history of men We trust that these considerations, which the heart of the English nation ratifies, will be to you and to your family some consolation in this hour of your sorrow. We are, honored madam, your sincere friends, JAMES DODWORTH, President. (Signed on behalf of the Sheffield Secular Society) |