Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1865-05-27
A Letter by Booth. the Assassin.


ter written several months ago by John
Wilkes Booth, which it pre;aces as fol-
lows:
We have Just received the following let.
lrr written by John Wilkes Booth, and
placed by him in the hands of his brother
in law, J. s. Clarke. 1t was written by
him in November last, and left with Mr..
Clarke in sealed envelope, aud addressed
to himself, in his own handwriting. In
the same envelope were some United
States bonds and oil stocks. This letter
was orcned by Mr.. Clarke for the first
time on Monday last, and Immediately
handed by him to Marshal Millward, who
has kindly placed it in our hands for pub
lication. Most Enthusiastically il proves
that he must for many months have con-
tcmIlatcd srizing tho person Of the late
President. 1t is, however. doubtful whe.h
er he imagined the black deed which has
plunged the nation into the deepest gloom.
and at the same time awakened it TO q just
and righteous Indignation:
My DEAR SIR: You may use this as
you think best. But as some may wish
to know mho. mhen and mhr, aud as l
know not hom to direct it, give it Tin the
words ofyour mastery " TO ~hom 1t may
concern :"
Right or wrong. God Judge me-. not
man. For be my motive good or bad. Of
one thing l am certain, tho lasting COLI
delnnation Of the North.
love peace more than life. Have loved
the Union beyond expression. For four
years have waited, hoped and prayed
for the dark clouds to break, and for a
restoration of our former sunshine. To
wait longer would be crime. All hope
tor peace is dead. My prayers have
proved rs id'r as my hopes. Gods will
b,. done. l 20 TO see and share in the
bitter end.
have ever held the South were right.
The very nomination Of Abraham Lincoln,
four years ago. spoke plainly war-war
upon Southern rights and institutions.
His election proved it. Await an overt
act" Yes; I'LL you are bound and plumb
cred. What folly! The South were wise.
Who think of argument or patience when
the finger of the enemy presses on the trig.
ger ? In t9reign ,car, too. could say,
Country, right or wrong" But in a
struggle sucA as ours (wherc the brother
tries to picrce the brothers heart.) for
Go,l's sake choose the right. When a coun-
try like this spurns justice from her side
she forf.its the allegiance Of every honest
freeman, and should leave him, untram.
mclled by any fealty focver, to act as bis
conscience may approve.
People of the North, to hate tyranny,
to love liberty and justice, to strike at
wrong aud oppression. was tn" teachings
Of our fathers. The study Of our early his
tory will not let me forget it, and may it
never.
This country was formed for the ,cAite.
not the black man. And. looking upon
African slavery from the same standpoint
held BY tho noble trainers Of our constitu-
ton, l, for one. have ever considered it one
of the greatest blessings (both for them
selves and us) that God ever bestowed
upou favored nation. Witness hereto
fore our wealth and power. witness their
Elevation and enlightenment above their
races elsewhere. have lived among II
most Of nv life. and have seen l~ss harsh
trruspcnt from n,assrs 70 man than have
l-.a..la in the North from EfArs IN son.
Yet. Heaven knows. no on would be wil-
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