The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1866-08-29
The snse of WIN. az. NeIsOn---Heuer from
Governor Humphreys 10 ihr Ladies' of
EazOs City and County.

On BOARD STEAMER "CALUMET, " "a
August ID, 1866. |
To The Ladies of Yazoo City anu County:
! received your petition with three
hundred and fifty signatures, in
behalf Of VIM B. Nelson, praying me
to exercise the prerogatiye with
which the law has invested me" either
III the pardon of the prisoner afore-
said or in his pardon on condition of
being confined for life or a term of
years in the Penitentiary.
On the 18th of July, the Rev. M III.
Phillips, of Yazoo City, addressed me
= IcJCef, requeet;.a5 60 delay ms
Nelson $ eXecution-hoping and be
lieving that he may be better prepared
for treading the dark valley that sepa-
rates this lite from that which is ever
lasting"
A delegation of ladies from Yazoo
City and county, waited on me at Jack
son, on the 18th of July, with peti-
ton from over one hundred and fifty
ladies, of the highest social position
in Mississippi, praying for the com
mutation of the sentence to imprison-
ment in the Penitentiary.
After considering the case, l yield
ed to these importunate appeals, SO
far rs to grant reprieve for twenty
eight days, that the unfortunate pris-
oner might make his peace with his
God. and be prepared to meet his aw-
full doom. | had some fears that this
act of mercy to the prisoner might
work some injustice to others, but |
have moderated the 9allantry of the
brave soldiers and patriotic men of
Yazoo, if they do not willingly guard
and safely keep the prisoner for TWEEN
noble ladies who have so faithfully
kept watch and ward over the homes
and happiness of the soldiers of the
Confederacy, through the long and
dreary years of their heroic struggle
for Southern Rights, when made, too,
in behalf of brave Confederate sol
der; but now unhappy, convicted and
repenting criminal. In this, time may
prove that | have erred; the records
Of eternity may show that it is well to
temper justice with mercy.
The power to pardon and reprieve
was entrusted to the executive for the
ends of both mercy and justice, but
should not be exercised when mercy
would work a wrong to public jus
tice
When the angel virtues of a woman
viii be found pleading on mercy's side,
the sterner claims of justice are de
manded ut the hands of the sterner sex.
This unhappy man has passed
through all the forms of trial ordained
and established by human wisdom for
his and society's protection. No one
now pleads his innocence. Unlike
the true Confederate soldier, who
fought the battles Of the South on the
front line, he has eschewed the path
of peace and honest industry. After
an impartial investigation, all admit
that his course since the surrender has
been marked by idleness, disorder and
crime, until arrested in his wicked
career by the officer of the law. A
sworn jury Of his countrymen have |
declared him guilty of the highest |
crime, and an enlightened court has |
pronounced the highest penalty known |
to the law. A reprieve for twenty |
eight days has been granted as con
cession to the claims of mercy, and |
the hopes of the Christian-but the
claim of public justice-the
peace, order and security of society
now demand the execution of the |
sentence of the Court.
1t is with unfeigned pain, fixed
conviction of executive duty con
strains me to deny to my noble coun-
trywomen compliance with their
touching appeal, and forbids the fur
Their interposition of executive elem
ency.
With sentiments ofprofound respect
and affection,
/ am Tour devoted Friend
and Ob't Servant,
BENZ. G.. HUMPHREYS,
Governor of Mississippi.
A vein of petr0leum oil has been dis