The President made his last public address on the evening of April 11th, 1865, to a gathering at the White House. Said he:
“We meet this evening not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart.
“The evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, and the surrender of the principal insurgent army, give hope of a righteous and speedy peace, whose joyous expression cannot be restrained.
“In the midst of this, however, He from whom all blessings flow must not be forgotten.
“Nor must those whose harder part gives us the cause of rejoicing be overlooked; their honors must not be parceled out with others.
“I myself was near the front, and had the high pleasure of transmitting the good news to you; but no part of the honor, for plan or execution, is mine.
“To General Grant, his skillful officers and brave men, all belongs.”
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