The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-10-11
How the President Looks and Acts.

Genio C. Scott. the disciple OF Walton.
ana the great fisherman Of this continent.
has lately visited Washington and Lad q
visit with the President. of which be gives
the following very Interesting account m
Wakes >pOtt Of last week:
| was greatly surprised on learning that
the late rebels Of the South lack the mauii-
hess 10 face the President and ask to he
pardOned. Instead OF asking for them
selves, they send their wives. sisters and
mothers. The rebels. IS IT. not satisfied
with deceivlmg Southern ladies as 10 their
strength and their pretended WRONGS. now
ask the ladies 10 bear the brunt of helnino
them out OF the ruin they brought unon
both sexes. Alas for the pretentious chiv-
airy which descends 10 don the crinolire
or sends its ladies 10 sue for pardon to save
it from stretching hemp, Oh. Maulmo-sl
how art thou slandered hy Southern clrT-
airy.
We waited and waited in the ante-room
until two o'clock, when the wide door was
thrown open and all who waited the tr0u-
bling OF the waters were admitted The
President stood at the side of his desk M
the side Of the room opposite the omen
door, and behind him sat his Secretary
The President appears about fifty years Of
age. He IS what tailor would call rood
figure, being erect Square-shOuldcred five
ieet eight inches high. about forty inches
around the breast and thirtv-six waist Tie
wore suit Of black dr0D defe. which fitted
creditably for his tailor. His head is round
enlivened with a smile, is beautiful Hc
was the handsOmest man OF the thirty there
present, photographs Of the contrary not
withstanding.
The ladies entered the room first and ap-
preached him singly with their wants
When they had reason 10 support their re-
quest, | was struck with his persp.cuitv In
discovering the gist OF the subject and his
promptness IN giving the necessary direc-
tiOns 10 his clerk when she was bowed on
ward, and another lady took her place. l
was standing within a few feet of the Pres
ident and listening with profound interest
10 their numerous requests. \ lgdv in
deep mourning approaches, call the ladies
were clad in mOurnlng,) Mr. President. "
in the most humble hud suppnCatlng tone
and manner, Il have got a paper here
which l want You to read The President
takes the paper and furtlvely scans the con-
tents, as he asks, What do Won want p"
Il want yOu, Mr.. President. 10 pardon nv
husband. We have lost everything: our
buildings, fences and forests are burned.
and we are as poor as poverty can make Us.
and yet We don't know as the worst has
come. II my husband was pard0ned We
might have some courage TO try 10 work
She burst into tears, and the President re-
plies: How is this that YOU 10 not come
into court with clean hands Y0u apply
for Your husbands pardon. and you have
not yet asked pardon for yOurselfi" 'Ncr
Cy. Mr. President, DO bear with Us anl
have compassion for us The Govern
ment is lenient, but YOU brought this up0l
yourselves. There is proof that your hus
band has done much wrong" Yes. bu
on the examination they acqnitted him. be
cause they found nothing against him.
Did not prove il, madam Men hav.
been liberated and hanged afterwards g~
The next lady appeared. she was beau
tilul young widow. The persuasive el0
, quence Of the incipient tear shown througl
> oriental eye-lashes, and her suppliCativ
look, l saw at once prediSpOsed the Pres
dent 10 want TO do something Tor her. Sh
: kindled my sympathy TO a great degree
and as IN silver accent she told of the deat
: Of her husband in battle on the Union side
and the destruction OF all her property 20
] the rebels. | was surprised 10 see the Pres
] dent recommend her to local authorities Q
= authenticate her claim. Just At that me
: ment she pulled her late husbands commits
{ sion oul OF her pocket and showed th
P Presidents signature, His ewes mOistene
P and he ordered his Secretary to attend {
[ the case. Now approaches a quiet. II
/ spectacle. demure. and refined looking lady
Mr.. President have got an applicatio
i for the pardon OF my son. " handing hil
2 the paper, ''whO Is poor. and has cot a vii
e and one child" '.WeM. madam. he dill a
n ~ his power 10 make his present condition
I De published a very dirty sheet and take
J his Ingenuity TO frame mythical stories
l. lnfiame the minds OF the people and induC
q them 10 commit treason and make widow
g and orphans. He has done a great deal
p harm, and l cannot pardon him. .Bu
e at least, you Will remember us in mercy
l. The Government has always been ieniel
e and mercltul and Is not the cause of Il
9 present distress"
p l stood by and heard applications and d
/ cisiOns ~ more than thirty cases ard n
d more than one applicant in twelve was pa
4 dOned. | retired from the reception vi
J. the most profound respect for the heart al
* head OF Andrew Johnson. He i i1Spiu
o with the zeal Of puritan, the p0atical :
l. gacity OF a John Quincy Adams. and d
II decision OF Andrew Jackson. Ii il : d
" paramount duty of tie American people
'e pray for any one that his hands be uphe.
l. and be be enabled 10 20 through the 81
y lime ordeal 10 which he IS called. then
% the people pray for Andrew Johnson. who
10 oner0us and delicate duties are full as hC
Il " as humanity can bear.
le