The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1865-11-17
Jefferson Davis---The Memorial for his
..e "-... Pardon, - -,-

dl QUus -f-
| The following is the memorial adopted
by the Georgia Convention, unanimously,
on the 3lst ult, in behalf Of JEFFERsoN
DAVIS and Others:
Miledgeville, Oct. so, '65.
To His Ercellency -4ndrea0 Jotnson
President cf the United States:
The delegates of the State of Georgia,
in convention assembled. DO earnestly in.
woke the executive clemency in behalf o.
Jefferson Davis. and Alexander II. Ste.
pbens, and James A Seddon, Of Virginia,
4. e. McGrath, Of South Carolina, Ali
son and David Yulee, Of Florida, and II
w. Mercer, Of Georgia, now confined as
prisoners, similarly circumstanced
Your excellency has been pleased te
restore Mr.. Stephens to his liberty. lie
returns to the grateful people Of this state
as solemn pledge Of tie magnanimity
which rules the public councils; i; and his
great name and influence will be potent to
revive the amity Of the past, and fructify
he wise and generous policy which your
excelleucy has inaugurated Enbo'1ered ed
by this example, irnpe!led by the purity
of our motives, and stimulated BY the
prayers Of a numerous people, we appeal
for clemency IN behalf Of Tie distinguished
persons we have named. Restore them
10 liberty and to the embraces Of their
families; translate them from captivity to
the light Of freedom and hope. and the
gratitude Of the prisoners will be mingled
with the joyful acclamations which shall
ascend to Heaven from the hearts of this
people.
Jefferson Davis was elected TO his hi "a
position by our sutfrages, and 10 response
to our wishes We imposed upon him a
responsibility which he did not seek
Originally opposed to the sectional policy
70 which pubic opinion, with Irresistible
power, finally drove him, he became the
exponent OF our princi plies and the leader
Of our cause. lie simply responded TO
the united voice of his section. If he then
is guilty, so are we, we were the plinci-
pals, he was our agent. Let not he retIi-
button of mighty uation be visited upon
his head, while we, who urged him to his
destiny, are suffered to escape. The lib
era clemencv Of the government has been
extended over US ; we breathe the air and
experience the blessings of freedom; we
therefore ask that the leader, who, in res.
ponse to the democratic instincts Of lis
nature. the princi pies Of his party. and
The solicitations of his section, became the
head and front of our offending, shall no,
now be bruised for our iuquities, or pun.
ished for our transgresslons.
Mr.. Davis was not the leader Of a fee tle
aud temporary instruction; he was the
representative of great ideas, and The
exponent Of principles which ;tirred anC
consolidated a numerous and intelligent
people. The people was not his dupe
They pursued the cause they adopted o
their own fee will, and he did not draw
them on, but followed after them. 1t i,
for these reasons that we invoke the exc
cuive clemency in his behalf His frame
is feeble; bis health is delicate; all broker
bv the storms of state he lauguishes OF
in captivity vicarious punishment fol
tho acts of bis people, Thousands o
hearts are touched with his distress
thousands of prayers ascend TO Heavier
for his relief. We invoke in his tehai
the generous exercise of The prerogativt
to pardon which the form and principle O
the constitution offer as a benefcent in
slrument TO a merclffl executive We
ask the continuance OF that career Of elem
eney which your exceiency has begun
and which alone, we earnestly believe, car
secure the true unity and fasting greatues:
Of thi, nation. Dispensing that mercy
which is inculcated by the example of ou'
great master Oh nigh, your name will be
transmitted to your countrymen as one o
the benefactors Of mankind. The consti-
tuition of our country, renewed and forti
fed by your measures, will once more
extend it. protection over a contented and
happy people, founded, as i. will be, upon
consent and affection, and "restiug, Ike
the gres. arch Of the heavens, equally
upon all"