North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-04-17
Bingham and Butler--Mrs. surratt 1nno-

Bingham and Butler--Mrs. surratt Inno-
cent
The telegraph from Washington gives
scanty outline of recrimnating passage
between Butler, of Massachusetts,, and
Bingham, of Ohio, which contains the fol-
lowing illusions
"Mr. Bingham said it does not become
the gentleman who recorded his vote fifty
times (Eldridge suggested fifty seven time
for the arch traitor of rebellihn, for the
Presidency of the United States, to under
take to cast an imputation either on my
integrity or my honor. repel with scorn
and contempt any utterance of that kind
by any man, whether he be the hero of
Fort Fisher taken, or the hero, of Fort
Fisher not taken. (Roars of laughter,) |
also stand here sir in the name of the
American people to repel with scorn any
attempt to levy charities by confscation
in violation Of the Constitution of my coun-
try. This, sir, is the proposition which
the gentleman Mr.. Butler dares to utter
in the American Congress in the sacred
name of charity" applause and laugh
ter.
To which Butler is said to have replied
81 did the best could; other men Of
more ability could do more, and no man is
ready to give higher plaudit for their valor,
their discretion and their conduct, than
myself Because | could not do more, |
would feel exceedingly chagrined if, during
the war, the gentleman from Ohio, Mr..
Bingham, did as much. / should be glad
to recognize that much done, but the only
victim of the genteman's prowess that 1
know Of was an innocent oOOman hanged
apon the scafold HIS only victim was one
Mrs. SurraH. I can Sustain the memory Of
Fort Fisher If he and his associates can
sustain him an the blood of q acOman tried
by military commission and condemned
without sufficient evidence, in nlyjudgment,.
We have at last one of the secrets of
the charnel house; wrung from an unwill-
ing witness: but nevertheless a witness in-
vested with every right to speak. 1t is at
this late day, to sustain Himself, that But
ler charges the Government prosecutor
against Mrs. Surratt, with being her muir
derer; that the blood of an innocent wo-
man is upon the head of the member from
Ohio, and his associates in that tragic and
melancholy occurrence. If this Massa-
chusetts lawyer knew the testimony against
Mrs. Surratt, was insufficient, during the
trial, and that she was innocent, why in
the name of justice, did he not say so then
and throw the weight of his name and in,
fuence in her behalf; at least have guar
anteed President Johnson's personal safety
in the event Of a respite, until the popular
heat had time to cool and the demand for
blord was less boisterous.
That the President was inclined to Glenn
ency in that case We are assured, but why
was Anna Surratt, the broken herrted
daughter, denied the presence of the chief
magistrate? Butler knew the party who
me her in the White House and mo cked
her entreaties to see Mr.. johnson to obtain
a few days life for her mother 1t may
vet come out that intmidations were used
against the President, that if he interfered.
his own completely in the ass assination
would be more t. an suspected. We new
er entertained doubt of the innocence of
Mrs. SurIatt, of the horrible crime impu
ted to her, but feel satisfied with Butler,
that she was made victim to satisfy a
longing fer vengeance, the intensity of
which was proportionate to the brutal MUIR
der of President.-Er.