The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

3 1/4 x 5 in. oblong card with text printed within a black mourning border; soiling or ink smudging.

Funeral services for Abraham Lincoln took place in the East Room of the White House on 19 April 1865. Over six hundred guests were in attendance, among them General Ulysses S. Grant, President Andrew Johnson, and all members of Lincoln's cabinet excepting William Seward, who was still recovering at home from his carriage accident and the later attempt on his life by Lewis Powell. The sermon was given by Phineas D. Gurley, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, where the Lincolns worshipped, who said, "Though our beloved President is slain, our beloved country is saved. And so we sing of mercy as well as of judgment. Tears of gratitude mingle with those of sorrow. While there is darkness, there is also the dawning of a brighter, happier day upon our stricken and weary land. God be praised that our fallen Chief lived long enough to see the day dawn and the daystar of joy and peace arise upon the nation. He saw it, and he was glad. Alas! alas! He only saw the dawn. When the sun has risen, full-orbed and glorious, and a happy reunited people are rejoicing in its light--alas! alas! it will shine upon his grave. But that grave will be a precious and a consecrated spot. The friends of Liberty and of the Union will repair to it in years and ages to come, to pronounce the memory of its occupant blessed, and, gathering from his very ashes, and from the rehearsal of his deeds and virtues, fresh incentives to patriotism, they will there renew their vows of fidelity to their country and their God."