Blogroll Me! How This Old Brit Sees It ...: An American Presidential Passing - Too Sad To Describe ...

15 April 2006

An American Presidential Passing - Too Sad To Describe ...












Did you remember a certain American anniversary today ? Well, did you? Did those you know?

Or, did you and/or they, ever even know ?

No matter. After all, it was 141 years ago. Which is way before even This Old Brit was born.

So here's something that should shed some light on the subject.


That subject being U.S. President Abraham Lincoln's fatal, Ford Theatre shooting -- for those still in the dark -- or for any in need of memory jogs.

Here's a header showing how said sad assassination story was summed up in Britain's Guardian, on 14th April -- way back when, in 1865.

Lincoln's death too sad to describe

Friday April 14, 1865

The Guardian

President Lincoln and wife, with other friends, this evening visited Ford's theatre, for the purpose of witnessing the "American Cousin".

The theatre was densely crowded, and everybody seemed delighted with the scene before them.

During the third set, and while there was a temporary pause for one of the actors to enter, a sharp report of a pistol was heard, which merely attracted attention, but suggesting nothing serious, until a man rushed to the front of the President's box, waving a long dagger in his right hand, and exclaiming, "Sic semper tyrannis" [thus perish all tyrants] ...

( substantial snip )

The President was in a state of syncope, totally insensible and breathing slowly; the blood oozed from the wound at the back of the head.

The surgeons exhausted every possible effort of medical skill, but all hope was gone.

The parting of his family with the dying President is too sad for description.

Read the full relevant report right here.

11 Comments:

Blogger Gert said...

Extra! Extra!

AfterDowningStreet Petition on Iran

3:52 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Richard, I remembered, but did not know of the Guardian article from / of the moment. Thank you.

I wonder if another of Lincoln's type will ever appear again. I sure hope so.

4:53 pm  
Blogger Richard said...

gert,

Thanks for that. I'll get right along there, now.

anon,

You're welcome. And as to your question -- well, they do say that "hope springs eternal" -- but it's sure been a long time.

11:08 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The USA = Murder Inc = Killings r Us = Gun Law = etc

12:04 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Richard:

From an Old Yank, thank you for remembering.

Lincoln was shot on Good Friday, died at 7:22AM on Holy Saturday (April 15th, 1865).

The analogies between Christ and Lincoln started almost immediately - the sacrifice to cleanse America of it's original sin of slavery.

Some evangelicals (especially in the South) wrote sermons denouncing Lincoln for spending Good Friday in a house of sin (the theatre).

Some things never change.

7:06 pm  
Blogger Richard said...

Old Yank,

You're welcome, it was my pleasure.

As for 'Some things never change'- you are soooo right - mainly because so many folk never learn.

Anon,

I dare say you're about 90% right too.

11:45 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lincoln was no saint. He wanted to end slavery, I think, but he didn't believe in equal rights for blacks. Anybody who becomes president must be a power crazy prick.

11:40 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

9:11 am  
Blogger Richard said...

Re; above removed post.

Bog off, you barmy buggers. So perish all time wasters, trolls, spammers, etc.

One click of my mouse - then pfft! It's all too easy. I can bin 'em as quickly as you can compose 'em.

1:06 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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1:13 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

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10:25 pm  

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