The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1866-09-06
fhe oasr Of Wa Al 4Nsisea--.I.rilcT from
csVcrnsr Humphreys - shc I.aals- 81
Naseo city ana Csaaiy.

L ON loARp STEAMER "CALuMrr" J
IS August l3, 1866 /
4 10 thc Ladies' Of Yatoo City nu.C COUNTY
] received your petition with tire
! hundred aud lAy five signatures, Il
4 behalf OF VIM. d. Nelson, praying m
ito exercise the prerogativc witt
which the law has invested me. oithc
, in the pardon of the prisoner aforc
said, or in his pardon on condition o
being confined for life or term o
years in the pcniteutary.
On the 10Th of July, the Rev. NJ II
Phillips, of Yazoo City, addressed m,
n letter, requesting me ito delay hi,
| Nelson's eNecution-hoping and be
loving that he may Ice 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 Il petit
ton from over one hundred and tl0y
ladies, Of the highest social position
in Mississippi praying Cor the com.
mutation of tho sentence to imprison.
ment in the Pcnitcutiary
Amer considering the case, ] Yield
cd to ttcSe importunatc appeals, so
far as to grant repricvc for twenty
eight days, that the unfortunate prs
oner might make his peace with his
God, and he prepared 10 meet his aw
FIJI doom had some fears that this
act Of mercy to the prisoner might
work some injustice to others, but |
have moderated the gallantry Of the
brave soldiers and patriotic men Of
lazoo, il they do not willingly guard
aud safely keep the prisoner for TWEEN
ty. eight days, at the request of those
noble ladies who have so faithfully
kept watch and ward over the homes
and happiness of the soldiers of the
Confcderacy, through the long and
droary 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 reprievc
was entrusted to the executive for the
ends Of both mercy and justice, but
should not be exercised when mercy
would work wrong to public jus
ice.
When the angel virtues of a woman
will be found pleading on mercy's side,
he stener claims of justice are de
handed at the hands ofthc sterner sex,
This unhappy man has passed
through all the forms of trial ordained
md established by human wisdom for
lis and society's protection. No one
low pleads his innocence, Unlike
he true Confederate soldier, who
ought the battles eff the South on the
ront line, he has eschewed the path
f peace and honest industry. After
II impartial investigation, all admit
hat his course since the surrender has
cen marked by idleness, disorder and
rime, until arrested in his wicked
areer by the officer Of the law. A
worn jury Of his countrymcn have
eclared him guilty Of the highest :
rimc, and an enlightened court has !
ronouncel the hig est penalty known /,
0 the law. A repricye for twenty
light days has been granted rs a con
ession TO the claims Of mercy, and
he hopes of the Christian--but the !,
lexorablc claim Of public justice--the
eace, order and security Of society
ow demand the execution of the
entence of the Court.
1t is with unfeigned pain, fixed /,
Of executive duty con
trains me TO deny 70 my noble coun- ,
'ywomen compliance with their !
appeal, and forbids the fur =
Ter intcrposition Of executive elem :
ncY. !
With sentiments ofprofound respect :,
nd affection,
am Your devoted Friend
and Ob't Servant, u
BENZ. G. HUMPHREYS, y
Governor Of Mississippi. u