, 1865-11-07
JEFFERSON DAVIS.


The Georgia mcmorial for Ills Pardon.
The following is the memorial adopted by
the Georgia Convention, unanimously, on the
31st ultimo, In behalf Of JEFF: Davis and
others:
M1LLEpGEy1LlE, Oct. 39th, 1865.
To Ills Excellency Andrew johnson, President Of
the United States:
The delegates of the State OF Georgia, In
convention assembled, do earnestly invoke
the executive clemency In behalf Of Jefferson
Davis, and Alexander Il. Stephens, and Jas.
South Carolina, Allison md David Yulec of
Tlo1ida, and Il. ". Mercer Of Georgia, now
confined US prisoners, similarly clEcutl-
stanced.
Your Excellency has been pleased to restore
Mr. Stephens to bis liberty; He returns to
pledge Of tho magnanfmity which rules the
public councils; and his great narna and in
huence will be potent to reyiTc the unity Of
tue past, and fructify the wise and generous
policy which your Ekcellency has inauguIat-
cd. Emboldencd By this example, impelled
by the prayers OF q numerous people, We ap-
neal for clemency in behalf Of the distinguish
cd persons We have named. Restore them to
liberty. and to tho embraces Of their families:
translate them from captivity to the light Of
15asop p1isopels wi Viii T pe mingled Viii the JOYFUL
ncclanations which shall ascend to
Heaven from tho hearts Of this people.
Jefferson Davis was elected TO his high po-
eition by our sudrages, aud In response 10 our
wishes. We imposed upon him responsi-
bility which he did not seek Originally
opposed to the sectional policy to which
public opinion, with Irresistible power, finally
| drove him, he became the exponent of our
principles aud tue leader Of our cause. He
simply responded to, the united voice Of lis
section. II he then is guilty, 80 are VIC, we
were the principals, he was our agent, Let
not The rctsibntfon of mighty nation be
visited upon lis head, while we, who urged
him to his destiny, arc suffered to escape.
| The liberal clemency Of the Government has
been extended over us; VIC breathe the air
and experience the blessings Of freedom; We
therefore ask that the leader, who, In response
to the democratic instincts Of his nature, the
principles Of his party, md tho solicitations
Of bis section, became the head and front Of
cur offending, shall not now be bruised for
our iniquittes, or punished Tor our trans
gressions.
Mr. Davis was not the leader Of feeble and
temporary insurrcction; he was the ra'-.,re.
sentltlyc Of great ideas and the exr.onent NJ
principles which stirred mud cr...,sofjdoied a
numerous nnd intelligent r.eople. This neo-
pie was not his dur. They pursued the
cause they adopted oi their own fEeo viii, aud
Re did not d5..m them on, but followed after
! 10 4lH A44EoC AE02OHo IuA% hC 4AfOhE
the Executive clcmency In his behalf
u:.s frame Is feeble; bis health Is iiclicate
all broken BY the storms Of State; he Ian.
guiEhcs out in captivity yicatfons punish
mcut for the acts Of big r,eonte. THOUSANDS
Of hearts arc touched With bis distreas
thousands Of prayers ascend to Heaven fol
his relief. We invoke In his behalf the gen
erons exercise Of tho prcrogatlve to pardon
which the form and principle Of the Constl-
tuiion offer as beneficcut instrument to q
mcrciful Executive. We ask the continuance
Of that career OF c1cmeucy which your Ex-
cellency has begun, aue which alone, We
earnestly belieys j. sesS5s fSls nstr tfs true an,y
sing that mercy, which Is lnculcated by the
example of our great Master on high, your
name will be transmitted to your countrymcn
ns one Of the btnelactoss Of mankind. The
Constitution of our country, renewed md for
titled By your measures, viii once more extend
Its protection over n contcutcd md happy
people, founded. as 1t will be, upon consent
and affection, and "resting, like the great
| Arrh nf thn hpnvene aNr1ilv ttunn ntt ~