German Citizens of Boston, Massachusetts
Boston,
April 20, 1865.
Sir: The undersigned takes the liberty to send you a copy of the resolutions passed at a meeting of the German citizens of Boston, held on Wednesday evening, April 19, for the purpose of giving expression to their feelings in relation to the death of President Lincoln:
- Resolved, That we, the German citizens of Boston, have learned the tidings of the assassination of President Lincoln and the attempted murder of Secretary Seward, with a mixture of the highest surprise, alarm, grief and indignation.
- Resolved, That we mourn in the murdered victim a man who was placed at the helm of the state under the most trying and difficult circumstances, who, in spite of the enmities from one and importunities from the other side, continued his straight course without haste or passion; who employed the liberal means offered by the people wisely for the restoration of the Union, and the validity of the laws of this great republic; who by his proclamation of emancipation has acted in the spirit of the time, and thereby crushed the main pillar of rebellion, but who at all times was ready to grant to the rebels a peaceful return to the old Union, provided they would return to their old allegiance, and who has met with surprising leniency all those who in the chances of war have fallen into the hands of our armies and authorities.
- Resolved, That we condemn the perpetrators of this double crime as common murderers, and that we eagerly and confidently hope they will soon be handed over to a just and severe punishment.
- Resolved, That this horrible crime, even if only a few should be implicated in the direct conspiracy, nevertheless must be traced in its origin and object to the rebel chief Jefferson Davis and his traitorous consorts.
- Resolved, That we hereafter regard leniency and indulgence as a wrong to the victims of this crime, as a criminal exposure of our highest civil and military authorities, and as treason against the welfare and honor of the nation.
- Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Secretary of State at Washington, and another to the Governor of Massachusetts
| F. GELDOWSKY, President. | |
| CH. BECK, | J. ELSON, |
| A. KREISSMANN, | H. LAUTERBACH, |
| G. FLALLICH, | E. HABEOH, |
| E. HEIDENREECH, | Dr. WESSELHŒFT |
| CH. HESS, | C. ZENAHN, |
| R. LANGERFELDT, | Dr. BIRNSITEL, |
| G. PASSENDRIEK, | F. HERCHENRODEN, |
| C. KRAMER, | A. F. WONDRER, |
| E. C. F. KRAUSS, | |
|
Vice-Presidents. L. WEISSBEIN, |
|
| C. KNAPPE, Secretaries. |
Your obedient servant,
LOUIS WEISSBEIN,
Secretary
The Acting Secretary of State,
Washington.