The weekly standard. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-02

sauo women OF the city OF BALTIMORE
and we come tremblingly. but respest
fully, with petition. The Russians
from the highest in rank to the lowest
serf, call the Gar father, and appeal tc
him as such; we come to you, also, al
children to q father, 'able and willing
to help" You have not quite SO many
children as the Czar, but you have q
large family. We come in the name Of
fifteen thousand of your daughters
the weaker sex, and, therefore, more
entitled to forbearance and indulgence
With your permission I will now read
the petition.
| rHr PETITION.
We. the undersigned, women of the city OF
Baltimore, respectfully and earnestly pray that
your Excellency will be pleased to grant your
pardon to Mr.. jefferson Davis and restore him
| to his family and freedom. In approaching
your Excellency with this petition, your memo
rialists obey not only the charitable impulses OF
our sex, but their profoundest convictions OF
humanity, patriotism, and sound policy. They
believe that no single measure could possibly
eontribIte SO much as the release of Mr.. Davis
to the perfect restoration of kindliness and
peace throughout the land, and they are sure
that none would be regarded elsewhere in the
world as more conclusive evidence of the conf
dence of our Government and people in the
harmonious and re-established unity of these
States. Your memorialists would not venture
to suggest even the noblest personal considera
tions of your Excellency in the performance of a
public function, but they trust it will be regard
ed in no such light if thev express the hope that
your Excellency win be guided in your dptermi-
nation by the illustrious examples of those ma
tions and those rulers, the record of whose DOW
er is written in the golden letters Of magnanim-
ity and mercy vasr4es
Mrs. Coleman then continued:
You have our petition before you,
and we beg to add fewremarks. Mr..
President, almost every act of your
administration has been marked by
wisdom and moderation. Mems hearts
failed them for fear at the time of the
death of Mr.. Lincoln, but day by day
the clouds have been lifted, and we
now see the silver lining clearly. One
great act remains to be performed by
you. Remember, tits the keystone that
makes the arch. All else that there is
put is nothing, till that come to bind
and shut, We ask the release of Mr..
Davis; the unconditional and immedi-
ate release. AS the representative of
his party, he has lost all; you, as the
representative of your party, have
gained all. / believe him to bea good
and great man. He was mistaken and
has suffered. He was one of the "sons
of the morning" and has fallen. Now
he is a poor old man, and, in addition
to all he has endured, he must bear
about with him always the bitter con-
ciousness of defeat. A great mind
like yours can appreciate that trial.
Now In the evening of life-no, that
is past In the night of life---it must
be dark night with him to the end.
There is but one single solace left him
the loving presence of his wife and
children. His little children cry out
in their destitution upon their father
for bread. OH bear their yonng vol
ces and be pitifuli In this, also, you
will show wisdom and moderation, and
courage-to use good American word
pluck" Throw off the trammels of
narrow-minded party and act at once,
without Cabinet consultations, and ir-
respective of our gentle and genial
Judge Advocate. Put the vexed
question, which I know has cost you
many an anxious and perplexed hour,
of "What shall I dowith Mr.. Davis,
forever at rest. It is difficult thing
to bring him rightly to trial more diff
ficult still to dispose Of him afterwards.
Behold, L show you q more excellent
way" Give us the permission to go
now to his prison, bearers Of your full
pardon, and let him go quietly home.
The Southern Confederacy has gone,
the wave has closed over it. 1t was
rich srgosy, but its treasures are bu-
fied. With your help, and by patience
and skill, its precious things may again
see the light, and grace and adorn our
common country. AS to Mr. Davis,
you know it is not. never can be in his
power to interfere in any way with the
Government We have notsin our pc
tition ventured to present personal
considerations to your Excellency. I
think myself, however, that NO man
ought to be above them, and I pc
knowledge they weigh with me. I
think they do with all those daughters
Of yours. We have an ambition to
succeed in our mission of love and mer-
cy. AL fathers wish their children to be
and we know that we shall
have little niche in history if we obtain
this great honorl We are all proud
Of you. We believe God raised you
up as he did Cyrus for this great work,
and that he fitted you for the task. We