On the Saturday after the assassination of the President there was a meeting held on the Common, and a vote taken to have the President's body brought through Indianapolis, for the people to see his dear dead face. The vote was taken by raising the hands, and when the question was put in favor of it a thousand black hands were extended in the air, seemingly higher and more visible than all the rest. Nor were their hands alone raised, for in their deep sorrow and gloom they raised their hearts to God, for well they knew that He, through martyred blood, had made them free. It was some time before the remains reached Indianapolis, as it was near the last of the route. The body was placed in the centre of the hall of the State House, and we marched in by fours, and divided into two on each side of the casket, and passed directly through the hall. It was very rainy,--nothing but umbrellas were to be seen in any direction. The multitude were passing in and out from eight o'clock in the morning till four o'clock in the afternoon. His body remained until twelve o'clock in the evening, many distinguished persons visiting it, when amid the booming of cannon, it moved on its way to Springfield, its final resting-place. The death of the President was like an electric shock to my soul. I could not feel convinced of his death until I gazed upon his remains, and heard the last roll of the muffled drum and the farewell boom of the cannon. I was then convinced that though we were left to the tender mercies of God, we were without a leader. Gone, gone is our chieftain, The tried and the true; The grief of our nation the world never knew. We mourn as a nation has never yet mourned; The foe to our freedom more deeply has scorned. In the height of his glory in manhood's full prime, Our country's preserver through darkest of time; A merciful being, whose kindness all shared Shown mercy to others. Why was he not spared? The lover of Justice, the friend of the slave, He struck at oppression and made it a grave; He spoke for our bond-men, and chains from them fell, By making them soldiers they served our land well. Because he had spoken from sea unto sea Glad tidings go heavenward, our country is free, And angels I'm thinking looked down from above, With sweet smiles approving his great works of love. His name with the honor forever will live, And time to his laurels new lustre will give; He lived so unselfish, so loyal and true, That his deeds will shine brighter at every view. Then honor and cherish the name of the brave, The champion of freedom, the friend to the slave, The far-sighted statesman who saw a fair end, When north land and south land one flag shall defend.