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Four Great Americans: Washington, Franklin, Webster, Lincoln. A Book for Young Americans by James Baldwin, THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. XV.—THE END OF A GREAT LIFE.

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. XV.—THE END OF A GREAT LIFE.

At the close of Mr. Lincoln's first term, he was again elected President of the United States. The war was still going on, but the Union arms were now everywhere victorious.

His second inaugural address was very short. He did not boast of any of his achievements; he did not rejoice over the defeat of his enemies. But he said:

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." Five weeks after that, on the 9th of April, 1865, the Confederate army surrendered, and the war was at an end.

Abraham Lincoln's work was done. The 14th of April was Good Friday. On the evening of that day, Mr. Lincoln, with Mrs. Lincoln and two or three friends, visited Ford's Theatre in Washington. At a few minutes past 10 o'clock, an actor whose name was John Wilkes Booth, came into the box where Mr. Lincoln sat. No one saw him enter. He pointed a pistol at the President's head, and fired. He leaped down upon the stage, shouting " Sic semper tyrannis ! The South is avenged!" Then he ran behind the scenes and out by the stage door.

The President fell forward. His eyes closed. He neither saw, nor heard, nor felt anything that was taking place. Kind arms carried him to a private house not far away.

At twenty minutes past seven o'clock the next morning, those who watched beside him gave out the mournful news that Abraham Lincoln was dead. He was fifty-six years old.

The whole nation wept for him. In the South as well as in the North, the people bowed themselves in grief. Heartfelt tributes of sorrow came from other lands in all parts of the world. Never, before nor since, has there been such universal mourning.

Such is the story of Abraham Lincoln. In the history of the world, there is no story more full of lessons of perseverance, of patience, of honor, of true nobility of purpose. Among the great men of all time, there has been no one more truly great than he.


THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. XV.—THE END OF A GREAT LIFE. 亚伯拉罕·林肯的故事。 XV.——伟大人生的终结。

At the close of Mr. Lincoln's first term, he was again elected President of the United States. The war was still going on, but the Union arms were now everywhere victorious. 战争仍在继续，但联邦军队现在到处都取得了胜利。

His second inaugural address was very short. 他的第二次就职演说非常简短。 He did not boast of any of his achievements; he did not rejoice over the defeat of his enemies. 他并不吹嘘自己的任何成就；他并不因敌人的失败而感到高兴。 But he said:

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations." “对任何人都没有恶意；对所有人都仁慈；坚定正义，正如上帝让我们看到正义一样，让我们努力完成我们正在从事的工作；包扎国家的伤口；照顾那些为了他的遗孀和他的孤儿，他将承担这场战斗——尽一切努力实现和珍惜我们之间以及与所有国家之间的公正和持久的和平。” Five weeks after that, on the 9th of April, 1865, the Confederate army surrendered, and the war was at an end. 五周后，即 1865 年 4 月 9 日，南方联盟军队投降，战争结束。

Abraham Lincoln's work was done. The 14th of April was Good Friday. 4 月 14 日是耶稣受难日。 On the evening of that day, Mr. Lincoln, with Mrs. Lincoln and two or three friends, visited Ford's Theatre in Washington. 当天晚上，林肯先生带着林肯夫人和两三个朋友参观了华盛顿的福特剧院。 At a few minutes past 10 o'clock, an actor whose name was John Wilkes Booth, came into the box where Mr. Lincoln sat. No one saw him enter. He pointed a pistol at the President's head, and fired. He leaped down upon the stage, shouting " Sic semper tyrannis ! The South is avenged!" Then he ran behind the scenes and out by the stage door.

The President fell forward. His eyes closed. He neither saw, nor heard, nor felt anything that was taking place. Kind arms carried him to a private house not far away.

At twenty minutes past seven o'clock the next morning, those who watched beside him gave out the mournful news that Abraham Lincoln was dead. He was fifty-six years old.

The whole nation wept for him. In the South as well as in the North, the people bowed themselves in grief. Heartfelt tributes of sorrow came from other lands in all parts of the world. Never, before nor since, has there been such universal mourning.

Such is the story of Abraham Lincoln. In the history of the world, there is no story more full of lessons of perseverance, of patience, of honor, of true nobility of purpose. Among the great men of all time, there has been no one more truly great than he. 在有史以来的伟人中，没有人比他更伟大。