Henry Carle, to Bigelow , United States, May 2, 1865

Universal Religious Alliance

Sir: Instruments as we are to works of reconciliation and peace, we cannot remain silent at this event that has excited the indignation and sorrow of all civilized nations.

We now come in our turn to pay a tribute of admiration to the memory of that great and good man who has so nobly served the cause of humanity, and to express the profound regret we feel at the death of Abraham Lincoln, the noble martyr of duty. As his existence was an honor to our age, so every co-temporary laments his exit from this world.

Honor to the country that produces such paragons for modern society. They are the glory of labor and religion in their most liberal forms, of all virtues that are the bases of liberty and public prosperity.

With such citizens it is not astonishing that America pursues the realization of the principles contained in its immortal Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Accept the expression of our sentiments of high consideration and cordial sympathy.