The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1865-05-11
Milligan. ROWlcs, and kHOrsey

News have bcen received that the gta
to be executed, and the day fixed for their
execution. These men, it will be remem-
bered. were arrested and tried last fall by
a military commission at indianapolis for
treason We were at some pains to ex-
anime closely the evidence against them
as published in the papers from day to
day during the trial, and arrived at the
conclusion that it might have been in a
civil court sufficient to convict Bowles of
the crime charged against him. but not so
as TO the others Indeed, we believe that
the evidence against Col. Milligan was not
suffcien, to put him on his defence in any
civil court, and that he would have been
discharged on motion without being re-
quircd to examine a single witness in his
defence. Ii is said, ana we presume truly.
that Mr.. Lincoln gave the friends Of these
men positive assurance that they should
not suffer DEATH and we do not believe
that president johnson would order their
execution if he would first examine the
testimony upon which they have been
convicted. 1t is perhaps too much to
expect that Mr. johnson can personally
examine all the details OF all the numerous
cases which come before him. and he
must of necessity depend in gieat meas
ure upon the judgment Of subordinates
But in TIE case Of Col. MilliSan, we are
thoroughly convinced that great injustice
will be done both to him and the country
by carrying into effect the sentence Of the
military commission by whom he was tried
We believe that he was pure minded
patriot, an honest man. and faithful to
What he deemed the best interest of lis
country, and would willingly, if need be,
sacrifice his life for the preservation of the
liberties of the American people Bes
lieying this, we cannot help dcPloring the
madness and folly of his execution as an
enemy 10 his country. lie may have erred;
and who has not g? But we firmly believe
his heart was right, that in whatever he
did he sought the highest good Of his fell
low citizens. and now that the war is end
ed, there can no possible good arise from
inflicting upon him an ignominious pun
ishmcot He has already suffered much
at the hands of his political opponents;
sufficient We should think to crafty even
the most unrelenting. We still hope that
the sentence may be revoked and he sci
at liberty, but we confess it is hoping
almost against hope. We shall await
with anxiety the denouement Of this I'm.
| fortunate affair.
Since writing Tic above We find the fol
lowing in yeste rday's Chicago Tribune:
Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.
INDIANAPOLIS, May 9.
The order for the execution of Bowles
Milligan and Horsey reached the military
authorities to day. They are to be hung
by the neck till they are dead on Frida,
the 18th inst Great excitement prevails
among the friends and relatives of the un-
fortunate men. and an immense pressure
is being brought to bear on Gov Morton
to induce him to interfere in some way
lie has no power howeyar,..to stay the pro
ceedings if he would Mrs Bowles wa:
here to day and had a long interview will
her husband, in which he told her tina
ms time had come. She left the prise,
crying bitterly.