Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 12.djvu/300

284 versed freely with leading citizens, and after leaving the place and arriving at City Point (near Richmond), on his way back to Washington, on April 6, 1865, he sent written authority to General Weitzel, commanding the United States forces in Richmond, "to permit the assembling of the legislature of Virginia;" and a formal call was issued, signed by prominent citizens and approved by the general commanding. In his letter he directed the general to extend his "permission" and "protection" to the assembly until it should attempt any action hostile to the United States. He intended at that time to restore the States through their existing legislatures and executives, acknowledging the State as a political authority, and as represented by them through its constituted authority. If he had not so considered the matter before, he thought so now that he saw the war was virtually over. He was ready to restore the Union as far as he was able in accordance with the principles and resolutions promulgated over and over again in the halls of Congress during the war, and that, too, in the most expeditious way.

On his return to Washington from Richmond, he changed his mind as to restoring Virginia to the Union through the executive and legislature as then existing under the constitution of that State, and he recalled the order given General Weitzel. It is not known why he did so, but he evidently was informed that he would again have trouble with the extreme men of his party if he pursued this policy; and he deemed it best to revoke the order and await events then rapidly following the collapse of the Confederate government. A few days afterward he was assassinated (April i4th). This monstrous crime was a great calamity both to the North and to the South. Lincoln was a statesman and had a good heart. He had the prestige of success. His brain and heart were then grappling with the problems of restoring the seceded States to the Union. He had maturely digested