The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-09-12
The Pardon Of Mr.. CoKardIn.

The Secession power in Virginia is 10 be
reinforced by the resuscitation Of the Rich
mOnd Dispatch by Cowardin, its former pro-
prietor. This Cowardin managed 10 obtain
his pardon some time ago, which he never
would have done had the President known
his antccedeuts. He Is one of the most
conscious and intelligent traitors" in the
State, and did his utmost 10 bring on che
war. During tie war his paper was es-
pecially remarkable for its enom.-PIila-
dCiphia Inquirer.
We lind the above paragraph in the Phil
adelphIR Inquirer, and, a. We believe the
pardon Of Nj. CowHrdn was granted Dy the
President on our recommendation, feel it in
cumbent that We should say a word in ex-
pl6nstion. The President. IS we'll ~ all
readers of newspapers during the war, koow
/ that The Richmond Dispatch was one ofthe
most energetic upholders of the Confeder-
scy, and tnst It's ability gave it more iufiu-
ence than some OF ITS more violent cOnLem-
pOraries. Mr.. CowaTdin was the response
BILE editor and proprietor of The esta blsh-
ment, and IA our letter 10 the President
asking for his pardon we reminded him OF
these facts. But in his case there was a re-
serving clause that covered a multitude Of
sins oI this kind. he lras kind 70 the Union
prisoners, and did moe for their relief than
any other man in Richmond. His position
| and his principles gave him power that no
| lOval man could have exercised, and he car
| ri,d has humanity 10 such an extent a. e.
| bring upon him the denumciat on and sus-
picions of many persons in Richmond Ii
! viii be remembered that not less than fifty
! thousand dollars was subscribed al the
/ counter of the American for the relief of the
prisoners of Libby and Bell Isle. We found
| it very difficult 10 get the money and pro-
visions We were daily sending delivered tC
the prisoners, and e pecislly the packages ci
money, clothing, provisions, &c, sent by
their { lends through Us 10 the Marvlan ,
prisoners, VIII, at that time, numbered
| over one thousand. Having been on
personally friendly terms with ar. Coward
| III before the war, we appealed 10 him on
| the score of humanity 20 receive and deliver
/ these package, which he promptly consent
/ ed 90 do. IL Is mot necessary for us 10 re-
/ mind the readers Of the American or our re-
turned prisoners from Libby and Belle Isle
| how faithfully he attended TO the commits.
sion, not package or box that was sent Ia
bis care having miscarried. He correspond.
ed with as regularly, Forwarding receipt.
from the prisoners, all of which we publish
| ed, together with our letters 80 him. We
/ have often regretted that we did not apply
To him earlier 10 act a. our agent az Rich.
mond. We made application at one time Il
| the Rebel authorities TO allow Mr.. Cowardiu
20 meet US az City Point for e personal in
| terview and went on the hag-rf-truce boat
With the permission Of President Lincoln
| and the secretary Of War 90 meet him, but
| the favor was not granted him by the Rebel
authorities. Our purpose was 10 arrange
| with him, If possible, 10 receive and deliver
/ all the stores then being sent from the
/ North, and 10 guarantee 10 him full remu-
/ neration at the close of the war for an ex-
/ peuses that he might have been under in
I the performance of the trust
We are in favor Of full pardon to every
man who can bring testimony Of humanity
1 and kindness TO our prisoners, and there are
| now in our city hundreds Of Belle isle and
/ Libby victims who viii THANK President
johnson for his prompt action in the case OF
| Mr.. Cowardin. And we hope that all who
! participated IN and were responsible for the
| brutality with which they were treated will
| be punished Bait AmCr.