The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-09-08
The President and the Rebel Pardon Seek
erS.

| The importantly ana insoience OF the reo-
81 applicants for pardon seems to have pro.
voked the President to pretty plain express
.ion of opinion in regard to their traitorous
conduct. A scene at tho White House re-
Gently il thus described in tho Washington
Republican: .l1''I'.l' .'
"Somo fifty persons were present, most Of
them seeking pardonS. A Mr.. Keitt Of So.
Carolina (not Lawrence NJ. he having been
killed by loyal bulle, at Fort wagusr) ap.
proached the President and informed him
that he desired pardon. "What have you
done ?" asked Mr.. johnson. ri opposed SO.
cession until my State decided to go out Of
the Union, and then determined to 60 with
il. Inever joined the army. | did ncthlug
to bring on the rebollion." was the reply.
.You," rcjoined the President, "are like all
the rest; you did nothing. Now" he ad.
ded. my experience, is, that the men who
didn't join the rebel army, but acquiesced in
tho rebellion, were the most miscbievous and
dangerous men we had. / cannot pardon
you, sir" Mr.. Kei,t mado several other Of.
forts. Among other things he reminded the
President that no had como all the way from
South Carolina and had been In Washington
SOME time; that hotel living hero is very
high, and that altogether the daily expenses
were cEtravagantly large, and that ho would
like to got away as soon as he could go. The
President responded that tho hardships Of
which he complained were tho direct results
of the rebellion that he did not bring on.
or contribute to bring on tho rebellion that
l,o was not Responsible Tor aud could not c1-
tricatc Mr.. Keitt from the difficulties ho com.
planned Of, nor hasten his pardon on account
OF them. Tho President was firm. His nn-
swer was fnality. Exit Koitt. A Mr..
Birch memb r Of the late rebel Legislature
Of Virginia, next approached tho President
and applied for pardon. Similar questions
were put to him by the President MS were
asked Mr.. Keitt. From the answers tap
pcared that Birch did nothing, only. as q
member Of tho Virginia legislature, in obe-
diencc to instructions, bo voted that Virginia
should seccde from the Union Of tho United
States. That is all he did; that was "noth
ing" The President refused to pardon him.
Exit Birch. Next camc rebel clergyman
who asked the President to grant him par.
don. "Whst great sin bsvo you committed
that you come here in clerical robes and crave
Executive pardon ?" 81 was REBEL" was
tho answer, sand / desire your Excellcncy to
pardon me that may be restored to citizen
ship and be ablo to support and live under
tho government of the United States"
"You rebel preachers" responded The Prcsi-
dent shave dono the government a great deal
of harm, You have proclaimed devilish
doctrines and misled the people. You forgot
that it was your duty to yield obedience to
the powers that be. You must rest awhile
upon the STOOL OF repentance. l decline 70
grant you pardon at present" Exit rebel
clergyman.
The President then remarked, addressing
the entire crowd in the room, that IL was
little singular that most OF the non.combat-
ants who had come here from tho South for
pardon assert that they did nothing at the
beginning. only acquiesced, and thought the
rebel government ought to have surrendered
earlier and stopped bloodshed; YET not one
of them took advantage of the amnesty proc
lamation offered by Mr.. Lincoln, nm oct
which would have shown sincerity on their
part and contributed 20 much toward saving
the enormous expenditure Of life and treas
uro. III will grant no moro pardons at pres
cnt,'' and turning to Col. Browning he d,.
rcctcd hin to issue tho order 70 the Attorney
Gcncral,f ai div h''a.in iod .ytsi5m77
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