The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-08-05
LINcoLN.s KINDNESS OF HEART.

The kindness of heart of Mr.. Lincoln
is well known, and his intense abhor-
renee of approving a deadly warrant
has been frequently discussed. His
Kentucky friend, "B., a man of undoubt-
ed loyalty throughout the war, used fire.
quently to come to Washington to make
representations to the President in re-
gard to court martial or other decisions
where mercy for the condemned man
could be obtained only from the Chief
Magistrate, and where he thought such
clemency deserved. He rarely failed to
obtain q reprieve, and the following
gives an outline of one of the cases
where he interfered successfully:
A young man living in one of the
southern counties of Kentucky was en-
naming with it in Tennessee q few
months, he became Disguised or weary,
and managed to make his way back to
his home. Soon after his arrival, some
of the military in the town heard of his
return, and arrested him as a rebel spy,
and after a military trial he was con-
demned to be hung. His family was
overwhelmed with distress and horror.
A sister of the young man knew Mrs.
B., and concluded to go to her with the
sad story, and ask that her husband
should make representation of the case
to his powerful friend in Washington.
Mrs. b. promised to do all she could,
convinced that the awful death decreed
the young man was undeserved.
When her husband came home from
his business, she told him he must go to
Washington at once to attend to this
case. He said it was impossible, as his
business required his Immediate and
constant attendance. eyes," she an
swered, "but not when a life is to be
saved" and in the next train Mr.. B.
started. When he saw Mr.. Lincoln and
explained his errand, the latter said,
"Oh, yes, understand, some one has
been crying to your good wife and
worked upon her feelings and you have
come here to work on mine." Mr.. B.
then went into detail and assured the
President of his belief in the truth OF
the story. After some deliberation Mr.
Lincoln, evidently scarcely more than
half convinced, but still preferring to erl
on the side of mercy, replied, 'If man
had more that one life, l think little
hanging would not hurt this one, but
after he is once dead we cannot bring
him back, no matter how sorry we may
be, so he shall be pardoned :" and a re-
prieve was given on the spot.
Many are the like instances which
could be given of similar cases, many OF
which, it must be admitted, really de-
manded in the name not only of justice
but also to secure public safety, that a
man proved to be spy should be shot
or hung, when the same tenderness OF
heart interfered to save life.
The story sometimes went that the
life of the one had been saved at the ex-
pense of the loss of the lives of many,
1t was said that it was spy pardoned
by Mr.. Lincoln who gave the informa-
ton which led to the horrible death OF
Col. Uric Dahlgren. But the sympa-
thetic nature which sometimes erred
through the weakness produced by its
own truth and intensity, was well un.
derstood and never condemned by those
who knew the man best. Here in
Washington it is not an affair of hearsay
the plying heart made itself felt, and its
influence was potent even when silent
Here Mr.. Lincoln was truly mourned
not simply as a martyr in a just cause
but as beloved friend. None who haG
ever come in contact with him could
fail to be convinced of his integrity OIL
remain unimpressed by his gentle char
acteristics. Many had been indebted tC
him for some Kindness, all had recog
nized his willingness to mitigate, as fal
as possible, the horrors of war. Tht
cry which went up from the city on tina
sad 18th of April was for man deeply
and earnestly loved and honored.-
Correspondence Springfield Republican