THE FRENCH CHAMBER AND ASSASSINATION OF MR. LINCOLN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 541, 7 August 1865, Page 5

THE FRENCH CHAMBER AND ASSASSINATION OF MR. LINCOLN.

Tho French Corps LogislatifT held a special Bitting on tho Ist. M. ltonhcr, Minister of State, epoko as follows: — An odious crime has thrown into mouriing a people which is our ally and our fri.-nd The crime has produced a ieoling of horror nnd indignation throughout the civilized world. Mr. Abrihtm Lincoln di»plaved in that unfortunate struggle which di-t.raet« k his country that calm firmness, that indomitable energy which is the characteristic of great souls, and the necessary condition of f. e accomplishment of great duties. On the morrow of victory he sh >wed himself generous, moderate and conciliatory. (Applause.) Ho w,ib anxious to bring tho war to an end, and by peace to rest we to America her_ sp'ondour and prosperity (Presh Applause) The first punishment with which God visits crime is to render it powe'l.-ss to etav the course of good. ( *ssent.) The prof-mad emotion and marlced svmpathy manifested will he accepted by Europe will be accepted bv the American people ns a consolation and an encouragement. The work of pacification commenced bv a great citizen will be completed by the national will. The Emperor'* Government has sent to Washington the expression of a legitimate homage to the memory of an illlletri 'lis statesman snatched from the Government of the Uni'e t States by tin execrable assassination. By bis Majesty's ordei-E I hive the honor to communicate to the Corps T.egislatif a despatch written by the Minist-r of Foreign Aff.iirs to our representative at Washington. It is worded thus: " Paris, April 28.

<■ pjr,—The news of the crime of which Preident Lincoln has just been the victim Ims caused in the Imperial Government a deep feeling of indignation. His Maiesty at o"ce despatched one of his aidi-s-de-camp to the Minisfr of the United *tate- to reque-t that ho would transmit the expression of this feelintf to Mr. Johnson, who is now invested with the presidency. In the despatch which I addressed to you, yesterday, I desired to make known to you. without d- lav, the painful emotion which we have fflt. and to-day I am anxious, in conformity with the intentions of the Emperor, to render a well-merited homage to ilio great citizen whoso loss the Uui ed States deplore. Kaised by the suffrages of his country to the first, magistracy of the republic. Mr. Abraham Lincoln hud displayed in the exercise of the power placed in his hands tho mo.-t sterling qualities, for in him firmness was allied to high principle His great soul never shrank from the terrible trials which wore resa-vi'd for his Government; at the moment when an atrocious crime removed him from tho mission which he fnlfi led us a religious duty, he felt that the triumph of lis po ioy was definitively ee<-ured. His recent proclamations are marked with the thoughts of moderation which inspired him in approaching resolutely the ta-k of re-organising the Union and assuring peace. The supreme satisfaction of accomplishing this work has not been granted to hira; but in collecting tin se evidences of his gr< fit wisdom, as well as the examplos of good eer.sc, oi." o >urage, and of patriotism which ho has given, history_ wid not he»itaie to place him in the rank of the citizens who have been the greatest honour of their country. (Very good! very good!) By order of the Emperor, I forw rd t is despatch, to tho Minister of State, who is directed to communicate it to the ."Si nate and lative Body. All France will j 'in in his Majesty's feelings. (Unanimous movement of app-obati-n ; Receive, &c. "Duou*-' Dn LHtJjra." '1 hie despatch needs no comment. The Emperor, the public bodies of the date, all France, are unanimous in their leprobation of a detestable crime, in their homage to tir illustrious political man, the victim of tho most criminal passions, and in their urdent wishes for tho restoration of harmony and concord in the bosom of the great American nat.on. (Marks ol general assent.)