Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-10-28
Petition for the Pardon of Mr. Ds,.

The Petersburg Express publishes Ina
following petition which il says s,so,a
by over SIX hundred ladies Of P.,er,bu,,
and has bsrn Forwarded TO prrsi!en, John'
son. praying Tor The pardon Vi Mr. D..
Wis:
PETERSBURG. October, 1865
President Johnson
HusoRED Sir We, the ladies' Of n.
COcksde CUv OF Virginia. approach ,o,,
Excsllency requesting executive cIen.,
CIV Tor our beloved captive head. late Pr.
idenl Jefferson DAVIS. who is bound :,
each one OF our section of The land by IL.
indissoluble ties OF friendship. low, ,,I
venera,lon. Called by the unauluon.
voice of The people OF the South L,j
them. (as Joshua Of old. he accepted h,
honor OF being enshrIned IA the history 4
the nation as it's chef. forced there by
the free suffrage OF united people. From
the moment Of his coercion, up To h.
hour Of his capture. he commsnded III,
respect. no, only Of the people u the lsl,
Confederate STATES, but Of the wufd Al
large, and especially OF the United State.
Government. His opinions were rece,.
ed every where as the viii OF The people.
whose mou.hpjeco he was. lie hs. our
love for every virIue which sdurned thu
christian. the gentleman, and The palrlol.
shown forth IN every act, with tie bril-.
lIancy Of the morning sun. rrilecilng hon.
or upon his country. Jlgnly upon HI.
government, and p'riy upon The soel.l
circle. Our venfrsuon--fOr called by
riph, millions of FIeemen 10 rule, every
creed and political party gave IN immedl.
ale and unreslrained obedience, followed
where he pointed the way. obeyed with.
ouia murmur the laws promui gated by
his council ans cheerlulIy gave up every
comfort for The public good at his sugge..
lion. Now we lie powrrless al the feet
OF a victorious government. Our brave
brothers sleep in their honored graves. or
walk beside US bearing on their persons
marks Of the fierce conflict which has tried
their courage and maRliness, with every
comlor, buried in the general wreck Of
war. With naught bu, their energies and
honor remaining-having given IN their
adhesion 10 the laws of the land. and IA.
ken the oa.hs Of fidelity TO the Govern.
menl. they have become quiet citizens Of
the same. only asking 10 be permitted 10
remove the numerous vestgss Of the late
conflict, which, you sir. seem not onl y
willing, but determined 10 accord to 10.
With your hand upon the helm, (Consli.
tu,Ionsl Rights. you are giving sublime
picture 10 The world Of heroic forliluds.
The tempest. though subsiding. still eau.
ses the ship OF State 10 plunge and reel.
yet. upheld by justice aud pstiioIs OF tho
land. she may be anchored in the safe h,-
ven Of the Unconstitutional sights" q. laid
down by our noble sires.
The Ark was borne upon the waters OF
wrath. yei,lif,ed 10 The summit Of moon.
Tain. i. there renamed monumen, Of
Gods mercy and from i, dove was senl.
which returned with On olive br.neI.
Viii you 10, send on. the dove (hopel 10
him whose only fault was "He did mol
r.jeC. the dangerous honor with more sn.
bllny =
Will you no, permit he government to
be the ark. now borne above the waters
of slrl(e. and i,s chief banner the Olive
Branch Grant this, sir. SO ihsl tho
prayers OF mothers. wives and children
may ascend 10 The Throne Of Grace from
the deepest recesses of their hearts. not
only for the welfare Of the county. but
for your long life and prosperity. You
would feel that YOU had no. only commit
ted an act Of justice. bu, mercy. 10 reie"'
one whose days sre numbered, whose feet
are already chilled by the breeze from
that unseen, undiscovered land. and 10
hear in your dreams (ss in your waking
borne upon the wings OF tho
Rowling winter tempe'ts, the Whispered
zeptyrs Of spring. the hun OF summer.
IIie and the soft. dewy airs Of Au,umn.ihs
prayers from millions OF hearts God
bless him IN time and eternity for hD
mercy endureth forever"
YoUn PETITIONERS.