Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-07-21

Visit Mrs. surratt.
WAsnNsroS. July 20. 1865.
10 Agent Of Assoeiaied Press:
Sin-Reicrring TO the special dispatch to the
New York TrDuue, from Washngtoa, OF the
l6ih instant. published in the issue OF the iourusl
OF the 18th, relating tho circumstances attending
the issue Of pass TO Rev. Mr. Walter 10 attend
Mrs. Surratt, / beg To state the facts in the
case as follows: On tho 9th instant. the Rev
Mr.. Walter called at the War Department and
asked for pass TO Mrs. Surratt. in the Military
Prison, saying. IL am not mistaken, that she
had expressed a desire To see him. | submitted
the request 10 ihe Secretary OF War, Who At once
said pass might be- given. Neither the Rev
Mr.. Walter nor myself then knew of the sppro-
val Ut the sentence of the Military Commission
in the caseos Mrs Surrst. signed Mr Walter
pass, but afterwards fearing the pass signed by
myself might rot under the circumstances
be accepted by the officer in charge of the
Prison. and 10 order that there might be no
possibility OF disappointment in tho admission
OF cergyma ~ afford the necessary spiritual
services. seut Mr. Barry, a clerk in my Office
to see the Rev. M Walter, aud TO tell aim il
would be better not 10 10 on the pass, aud |
would again see the Secretary of War, aud "a he
had assented TO the visit Of the clergy man To the
prisoner, would get pass signed by himself. ~
otherwise there was possibility OF his being put
to the trouble Of gong TO the prison without
being able TO secure admission. IL was also
part of my design that Mr. Barry shosd impress
upon the Rev. Mr. Walter the necessity of good
faith in the use OF the pass when replaced. At
ter thus sending Mr. Barry to Father Walter, |
sent TO the Secretary Of War aud asked bis own
signature to pass. "a referred To above, when
upon his signing which | said 10 him that was
ccnhdeht tho pass would be used solely for The
-. IL
visit 10 administer the sacrament aud TO prepare
the person he visited for death. Upon Mr
Barry. the messenger to Rev. Mr. Walter. &c
turning, lac informed me Of the violent aud ex
cited language Of Father Walter with regard TO
the trial and its result, which he, Mr.. Walter had
heard after leaving the War Department. On
hearing this. | weat myself to see the Rev Mr.
Walter, to caution him. a. his we'll wisher. as
friend OF the church, and in q private capacity
entirely, with regard TO the use language so in.
hamatory a. that he had INDUCED in. at this,
a time OF great puolic excitement | introduced
the conversation by stating that what he had said
had made ali impression upon the mind of NV
messenger, -ho bad ispeated his remarks to me
| explained 10 him, as | have said above, that
there might be a possibility of his not getting
into the prison on my pass, and that had there
fore asked the Secretary Of War 10; n pass
signed by himself, on giving which, | had said
that was confident il would not be used for any
other purpose than for which il was asked and
wanted Nr. Walter to DC governed so that
would be safe in the assertion had made Mr.
Walter had displayed 30 much excitement and
temper that il was duty of charity on my psrt
in view Of all the circumstances, to endeavor to
induce him TO pursue more discreet course, and
to induce him to be silent as becam me his place
On these terms | asked him 10 a friendly and
kind way. ~ promise me that he would
desst from talking about the matter. Mr.
Walters convictions as to the innocence of the
prisoner, or The use OF any improper efforts, be
ieving her 10 be innocent, to arrest her execu-
ticn, were Tot made matters Of objection. 1t was
10 tue inaa ma:ory character and efforts at this
period when the public mind was agitated, that
my attention directed. Unnecessary and
angry discussions and haranguss could no. But
be mischeyous just at this moment, and since it
appeared that Mr.. Walter could not approach
the subject with discretion it was better he should
let il alone This was . confidential converse
ton between myself and Mr.. Walter. As has
been seen, the visit was not at all Official but
entirely that OF private individual.
Nv motives were laudable, they we're 10 re
strain impudent and mischievous discussions,
and to insure the Use of the pass to be given in
the faith intended when it was signed, and then
to make nv assurance good: the visit was not
him until the present time. Ga this point, after
what said, don't see how Mr.. Walter could
have understood me as being prompted ov in
suucticus in my conversation
In replying TO me, the Rev. Mr Walter was
very violent AM generally denunciatory. The
range Of his conversation was very wide and he
hsrangued upon the Administration and the
rebellion, aud dwelt With bitterness on what he
called military tyranny. IL. He said, probably
all he is represented, in the fourth paragraph as
having said, and very much more tbst a prudent
priest, loyal eitizen, or man of common sense
would not have said. During all this time was
endeavoripg to counsel moderation cautioning
against bis expressions. and counsellng prudence
| do not know that | sought TO pstronizs the
Rev Mr.. Walter 1t all, aud the phrases which
allude 10 this, and the indignant rejonder oil
Father Walter do not bring 20 ny mind tie
recollection Of the scene described
did not tell Father Walter he should not
have a PASS if he did not promise to say nothin 2
of Mrs Surratt's isnocence ANNOYED at whsi
he had said. vas about to leave the room and
defer giving him a pass. remarking i will send
you word as to the pass in two hours, when he
said promise | had intended within the tsa
hours 10 see the Secretary Of War and say TO him
wa. convinced that after what had taken place
that Father W alter was not III the proper dispo
.i.ion and frame OF mind to be a suitable religion:
Il
attendant upon the prisoner, aud under the cir
cun.ianee. the services OF another priest should
| DE procured by her instead. When Mr.. Waltei
said be promised, satisfied he had determined tC
| be governed by the conditions Of prudence hat
suggested. and believing he would perform whs
he had undertaken, gave him the pass. nor die
/ |, when | designed 20 withdraw from hin
Without givisg him the pass. by any means in
| tend his acts should have the efec; to depriv,
the prisoner of the benefit OF clergy. My view
on the contrary. Was only ths, soGe other prizes
should go; in factssnoiher did 20 besides Me-
| alter. IL has been my fortune TO be III
means of sending clergymen to attend man.
during the war in need Of their services. aud
never threw = s,rss in the way OF any clergy
man. of any faith. visiting peni,ent. loyal o
disloyal, living or dying. when bis services ~er
needed for | could not zee any person, Of an
creed, diving without giving any sssistanoe 10 m
power 10 procure the attendance of clergy.
With regard TO the dsnials of passes to Ar
Walter TO visis The prisoners. when i'll. re
ferred 10 in the last paragraph in the article !
! question, Father Walter stated to my messense
he had been requested By Mrs. Surrsu shortl