Working People of Leeds
At a large meeting of work-people, in the Leeds Working Men’s Hall, on Thursday evening, April 27, held to hear a dramatic reading, opportunity was taken to show the deep feeling of sympathy felt among the working classes for their brethren in America on the sad loss of President Lincoln.
The following resolution was unanimously carried, with a request that the American consul in Leeds would kindly forward it to the proper quarter:
Resolved, This meeting desires to express its deep and heartfelt sympathy with the people of the United States on the terrible bereavement they have just experienced in the assassination of President Lincoln, and its feeling of horror at the cowardly murder by which they have been deprived of a sound leader, a wise counsellor, a beloved friend, and an honest man. In Abraham Lincoln the working classes of this country have long had the fullest confidence, as the uncompromising enemy of the detestable institution of slavery; and although recent victories had placed his enemies at his feet, his noble-heartedness and kindly disposition led him to extend forgiveness to them, in the hope of restoring peace and unity among the American people.
This meeting prays that God, in His infinite mercy, will so direct the rulers of America that peace may be soon restored, the Union cemented, and slavery forever abolished.