Freedmen’s Aid Society
Address of the Freedmen’s Aid Society of London.
Sir: The committee of this society deems it its melancholy duty to give expression to its deep sorrow on account of the sudden removal of President Lincoln, and its intense abhorrence of the crime by which his valuable life has been terminated. This committee has long cherished the highest admiration for the character, and felt full confidence in the constitutional and genuine anti-slavery policy, of the late lamented President. It has never traced the sufferings of the freed people to that policy, but to the cruel and unrighteous war, which the slaveholders originated, which having begun, Mr. Lincoln turned to the advantage of the enslaved, by making it the constitutional ground of their emancipation.
This committee tenders its deep sympathy with the widow and other members of the bereaved family, and also to the entire nation which at such a crisis has [Page 269] been so suddenly deprived of its great leader. But this committee, while sorrowing for the loss of this great and good man, and deeply sympathizing with all the American people, has strong faith in the glorious cause of emancipation to accomplish which the President has fallen a sacrifice.
He by whom kings reign and princes decree justice can easily supply the lack of service which has now arisen, and will, it is confidently believed, raise up and duly qualify all needed agency for effecting the absolute extinction of slavery, the reconciliation of contending parties, and the establishment of universal peace.
- T. FOWELL BUXTON, Bart., Chairman.
- SAMUEL GURNEY, M. P., Treasurer.
- WILLIAM ALLEN, Sub Treasurer.
- FRED. TOMKINS, M. A. D. C. L.
- F. W. CHESSON.
- SAMUEL GARRATT, M. A.,
- JOHN CURRVEN, Honorary Secretaries.
Hon. Charles Francis Adams,
Minister of the U. S. of America at the Court of St.
James.