Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part IV, Appendix to Diplomatic Correspondence of 1865, The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States of America and the Attempted Assassination of William H. Seward, Secretary of State, and Frederick W. Seward, Assistant Secretary, On the evening of the 14th of April, 1865: Expressions of Condolence and Sympathy Inspired by These Events

Agricultural Society of Baden

[Translation.]

Baden, in Aargau, May 21, 1865.

The Agricultural Society of the district of Baden to President Johnson.

As members of an agricultural society, and as citizens of a free country, we feel bound to join in the chorus that solemnly swells in the praise of the holy cause of humanity, freedom and equality to all men as brothers, and that precious blessing of a republic, unbroken unity. Therefore have we followed with intense interest the banner of our sister republic beyond the ocean, which waved for the holy blessing, and watched the changes of events as closely as if they had been in our own land—now with joy, and then with fear and trembling. Great was our exultation when the good cause triumphed; but a terrible blow struck down our joy. Close upon the news of victory came the tidings of the death of Lincoln, the noble unmoved champion of freedom and the Union.

Permit us, therefore, to express to you our most sincere congratulation on the triumph of the good cause, and to tell our deep sorrow for the death of President Lincoln, the noble martyr of liberty.

Permit us, as kindred people, to extend the friendly hand of brotherhood, and crown his head with laurel in his last sleep, and plant the mourning cypress over his untimely grave.

May his martyrdom produce the rich fruit that the true martyrs of humanity have always yielded.

In the name of the society:

• KETTIGER, President.
• JOHN MULLER, Secretary.