The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-12-01
Wirz' Letter to the President.

The following letter, without date or
signature, was written by Wirz' own hand
to President Johnson, four days be-.
fore bis execution, but his counsel, Mr..
Schade, deemed il unadvisable TO present
ii:
With a trembling hand, with heart
filled with the most conflicting emotions,
and with spirit hopeful one moment and
despairing the next, have .sken the lib
erty OF addressing you. When ! consider
your exalted position; when | think for
a moment that in your hand rests the
veal or woe Of millons-yea, the peace
Of The world--well may pause 10 call to
my aid courage enough TO lay before you
my humble petition. / have heard you
spoken Of as a man willing and ready at
all times and under all circum stances to
do justice, and that no maE, however hum
bic he may be, need fear to approach you,
and therefore have come 10 the conclu.
sion that you will show me the same'priv-
ilege extended 10 hundreds and thousands
of all. 1t is not my desire or intention TO
enter into an argument as to the merits
Of my case. In your hands, il am right
fully informed, are all the records and ev.
idences bearing upon this point, and il
would be presumptuous upon my part 10
say one word about it. There is but one
thing that ask, and il is expressed in a
few words: Pass your sentence. For six
weary months l have been prisoner;-
for six months my name has been in the
mouth Of every one; by thousands I am
considered a monster of cruelty, wretch
that ought not to pollute the earth any
longer. Truly, when pass in my mind
over the testimony given, l sometimes al.
most doubt my own existence. I doubt
that am the Captain Wirz spoken OF.
doubt that such man ever lived, such as
he is said to be, and am inclined 10 call
on the mountains to fall upon and bury
me and my shame. But oh! sir, while l
wiring my hands in mute and hopeless
despair, there speaks small but unmis-
taxable voice within me, that says: Con.
sole thyself. Thou knowest thy limo.
cence. Fear not. II men hold thee as
guilty, God does not, and new life will
pervade your being Such has been the
state OF my mind for weeks and months,
and no punishment that human ingenuity
can inflic! could increase my disress.-.
The pangs OF death are short, and there.
fore humbly pray that you will pass
your sentence without delay. Give me
death or liberty. The one do not fear
the other crave. II you believe that
am guilty OF the terrible charges which
have been heaped upon me, deliver me
to the execulioner. II no, guilty in your
estimation, restore me to liberty and lie.
A life such as am now living is no life.
l breathe, sleep, eat; but it is only the
mechanical functions perform and moth.
ing more. Whatever you decide shall
accept. II condemned TO death, | shall
suffer without murnur. If restored to
liberty, I will thank and bless you Tor it..
would not convey tie idea 10 your
mind, Mr.. President, that court death.
Life is sweet. However lowly or humble
mans station may be, he olings 10 life.-
His soul is filed with awe when he con.
templates the future, that unknown land
where the judgment is, before WHICH be
will have to give an account of his words,
thoughts and deeds. Well may remem.
ber, too, :bat l have erred like other hu.
man beings, but Of those things for which
may perhaps suffer violent death am
not guilty, and God judge me. have
said all that l wished 10 say. Excuse
my boldness in addressing you, but l
could not help it. i cannot bear this sus.
pense much longer. May God bless you
and be with you. Your task is great
and fearful one. In life or death shal!
pray for you, and foi the prosperity of the
country in which have passed my hap.
piest and darkest days.