Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-08-05
CASE OF MRS. sURRATT.

CASE OF MRS SURRATT. .....
In the course of Mr. Merrick' speech to the
iury in the case OF John Sprratt he thus spoke
OF Mrs. Surratt
Saws the learned attorney upon the other
side Mr.. Pcrrepont in speech delivered, L
think, before you were empannelled:
1T has likewise been circulated through all
the public journals that after the former con-
yctions, when an effort was made to go to the
President for pardon, men, active here at the
seat Of Government prevented any attempt
being made, or the President being even reach
el for the purpose of seeing whether he would
not exercise clemency: whereas the truth, and
the truth of record, which will be presented In
this court, is, that all this matter was brought
before the President and presented to tull
Cabinet meeting, where it was thoroughly dis
cussed and, after such discussion, condemna-
tion and execution received not only tae
sanction of the President but that OF every
member of the Cabinet. This aud thousand
others of these false stories will be all set at
rest forever in the progress OF this tIlal; and
the gentlemen may feel assured that not only
are we ready, but that we are desrous OF pro
ceeding at once with the case.
Now if this declaration OF my learned
brother upon the other side is correct, this trial
was notentered upon for the purpose alone OF IN
uuiring into the guilt or innocence OF the prison
er at the bar 1t was not entered upon because
public Justice demanded his arraignment before
you, gentlemen, but 10 order that thousand
false stories about men high in office might be
settled at his expense. Then, although my
learned brother is here under appointment by
the Attorney General of the United States, yet
it is an appointment which probably had Its
origin in the stimulus of some private feeling
lying behind He comes here, not to try this
case alone, but he comes here TO set at rest
certain false stories Has be done it
Mr. Merrick, again recurring to the remarks
made by Mr.. Pierrepont said: Where is
your record? Why didn't you bring it n?--
Did you find at the end OF the record a recon-
mendation to mercy in the case OF Mrs. Surratt
that the President never saw? You had the
record here 10 court. ...sa
Mr. Bradley. And offered 1t once aud with
drew it.
Mr.. Merrck. Yes, sir, offered it and with
drew it.
Did you fnl anything at the close Of it that
you did not like? Why didn't you put that
record in evidence, and let US have it here :
We were not going to quarrel with 1t; we
would like to know all we can about the dark
secrets of those chambers whose doors are
closed, but from which light enough creeps IN
to make us anxious to look within. We only
know enough to make us curious; but that is
enough to make US feel You were going TO
show. too, that nobody prevented access to
the President on the part OF those who wanted
TO get a pardon. Why didn't you do it =
Gentlemen of the jury, / should have been
glad to have heard that proof. They have
brought these charges into the case and must
meet them as part Of the case. should have
been glad to have heard that proof, Who OF
you is there who was In the city OF Washing
ton, who will ever forget that fatal day when
the tolling of the bells reminded you ct the sad
fact that the hour had come when those people
were to be hung Your Honor referring to
Justice Wylie, who was at the time sitting by
the side of Judge Fisher on the bench, and
in your praise he it said, raised your judicial
hand to prevent that murder, but it was too
weak The storm beat against your arm, and
it fell poWerless 10 the tempest You remem-
ber that day, gentlemen. Twenty-tour hours
for preparation. The echoes of the announce
ment of impending death scarcely dying away
before the tramp of the approaching guard
was heard leading to the gaows. Priest,
friend, philanthropist, and clereymen went to
the Executive Mansion to get access to the
President, to implore for that poor woman
three days respite, to prepare her soul 10 meet
her God, but got no access. The heart
child-the poor daughter went there crazed
and stretched upon the steps that lead to the
Executive Chamber, she raised her hands in
agony and prayed to every one that came, 'Oh,
God! let me have access, that | may ask Tor
but one day for my poor mother; just one
day p Did she get there? No. And yet,
says the counsel, there was no one to prevent
access being had. Why did Mt you prove 1t 2
Oh, God If such thing could have been
proved, how would have reioiced in the iact
forwhen rejecting upon that sad, unfortunate,
wretched hour in the history of my country
an hour when feel she was so much degraded,
could weep until the paper be worn away
With the continual dropping OF my tears. VINO
stood between her and the seat OF mercy =
Has conscience lashed the Chief of the Bureau
Of Military Justice? Does memory haunt the
Secretary of WARP Or is it true that one who
stood between her and Executive clemency now
sleeps in the dark waters of the Hudson,
whilst another died by his own violent hands IN
Kansas. esE
Following on Judge Pirrepont's declaration,
which | have read 10 you, and these circunl-
Stances Genes Mr.. Darlington, breaking the
cerements of the tomb, and demanding your
Verdict against Mrs. Surrat. In God S name,
isn't it enough to try the living? Will you
play the goul, and bring her from the cold,
cold earth; and hang her corpse? Bring her
IN; but there is no occasion for doing so; she
Is here already. We have felt our blood run
cold as the rustling of the garments from the
grave swept by US. Her spirit moves about,
and the Judge Advocate General, and all
NOSE men may understood that it is the e;cr:-
nsi'aW Of God though. SO tar as men are
concerned, fresh and innocent blood may ap-
ptafent!y vindicate blood previously shed-yet
Ihe spirit will still walk beside them. He may
ssnudder before her, because she is with him
oy DAY and by night; and he may say,
AVaunt and quit my sight Let the earth hide
Thy bones are marrowlsss; thy blood is cold.
But the cold blood aud the marrowlcss bones
IS Still beside him ana har 1rrh;snar;rae- "a