Letter

Workingmen, May 5, 1865

Workingmen

To the people of the United States of America:

We, the working men of Brighton, in public meeting assembled, desire to express our utter abhorrence and indignation at the atrocious murder of Mr. Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by the hand of a ruthless assassin and the profound sympathy of our hearts towards those who are brethren in origin at the awful calamity which has befallen their great nation, and stricken us with amazement and horror. While we recognize an overruling Providence in all things, it is beyond human power to fathom the depths of this mysterious dispensation at so eventful a crisis in your history.

It is our confident hope and earnest prayer, that America may speedily emerge rom this sad sorrow, and all her troubles, and continue with our nation the happy relations of peaceful commerce for generations to come.

Signed on behalf of the meeting.
JOHN LEONHANDT BRIGDEN.

Mayor of Brighton, Sussex, Chairman.

Sources
FRUS u2014 Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth View original source ↗
U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth.