The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-05-30

al lntelllgencer, IN which fully
set forth our reasons for our pro.
ceedings. He is the Government
Friday, the 2lst-After being
hunted like dog through swampt
and woods, the last night being
chased by gunboats till l was forced
TO return, wet, cold, and starving
with every mans hand against me
| am here in despair; and wby'2-
For doing what Brutus was honor
ed for; what made Tell a hero; and
yet |, for striking down a'greater
, tyrant than they ever knew, am
looked upon as a common cut
throat. My action was purer than
either one Of theirs. One hoped to
be great. The other had not only
his country's, but his own wrongs
to avenge. l hoped for no gain. /
knew no private wrong. struck
for my country, and that alone--a
country that groaned beneath his
tyranny, and prayed for his end,
and yet now behold the cold hand
they extend to me. God can not
pardon me if l have done wrong,
yet l cannot see my wrong, except
in serving degenerate people,
The little, the very little that l left
behind to clear my name, the Gov
ernment will not allow to be print.
ed. So ends all. For my country
have given up all that makes life
sweet and holy; brought misery up,
on my family, and am sure that
there is no pardon in the heaven
for me, since man condemns me so.
| have only heard of what has been
done, except what I did myself, and
it fills me with horror. God try
and forgive me, and bless my moth
er. Tonight 1 will once more try
the river with the intent 10 cross,
though l had q greater desire and
almost o mind to return 10 Wash.
ington, and, in measure, clear my
name, which | feel l can do. | do
not repent the blow / struck. /
swear before my God, but not to
man, / think l have done well,
though ! am abahdoned, with the
curse of Cain upon me. If the
world knew my heart, that one blow
would have made me great, though
[ did desire mo greatness. To-
night l try to escape these blood
hounds once more. Who can read
his fate? Gods will be DONE /
have too great soul to die like a
criminal.
"Ol may He spare me that, and
let me die bravely, l bless the en-.
tire world. | have never hated or
wronged any one. This last act
was not wrong unless God DEGREES
it so, and it is with Him TO damn
or bless me. And for this brave
boy with me, who often prays-
yes, before and since-witb true
and sincere heart, was it crime in
him? Ifnot, why Can he pray the
same2 l do not wish to shed
drop of blood, but l must fight the
course. IT'S all that's left me-"
Upon a piece of paper found in
the diary, and supposed to have
been torn from it, is written the
following:
"My dear-(picce torn ouD.-
Forgive me; but l have some little
pride. / cannot blame you for want
of hospitality; you know your af-
fairs; l was sick, tired, with q bro
ken limb, and in need of medical
advice. l would not have turned
a dog from my door in such plight.
However, you were kind enough |
to give us something to eat, for
which L not ouly thank you, but
on account of the robuke and man
ner in which-(piece torn ouD. 1t
is not the substance, but the way
in which kindness is extended that
makes one happy in the accept
ance thereof. The sauce to meat is
ceremony; meetings were bare with
out it. Be kind enough to accept |
the enclosed five dollars, although |
hard to spare, for what we have
received.
" Most respectfully your obd't
servant"
REPORT OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE
GENERAL.
"BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE, !
May II, 1867.
"Respectfully returned with the
copy asked for. The diary pur-
ports to be one for 1864, and the
leaves cut or torn from it probably
contained entries of that year, and
were thus destroyed by Booth him
self. 1t is absolutely certain that
the diary is in all respects as it was
when it came into my hands, and
Col. Conger, who was prominent
in the pursuit and capture of Booth,
after having carefully examined it
in my presence on yesterday, de-
clared its condition to be now pre-
cisely the same as when he took it
from Booths body, after he had
been shot, the writing in it being
the same, and all which it contain
ed.
"Conger was examined before the
Judiciary Committee Of the House
Of Representatives to-day.
~. HOLT,
Judge Advocate General"
The Supreme Court of Ohio has
decided that temporary closing of
The polls on election day is viola
lion of tho law and vitiates the O.