The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-05-04

"Oh, Mr.. President, how can thank
your ..
"Take this note to the War Depart
ment, and they will give you . paper
Of release for your husband from the
charge Of desertion. 1t will make your
journey home more comfortable. Good
night" ........
"God bless you ~ she answered, and
was gone.
The President struck the little bell,
and tall usher opened wide the door,
until the room was filled. Some Of these
petitioners were insolent beyond human
endurance; some were ludicrous in
their pompousness, displaying piles Of
letters of intIod duction, which the Presi-
dent would not look at. They would,
however, persist in their endeavors to
make him look at such letters from such
persons. -..,. ~~
The President soon became exasper-
ated, as he listened to one and another.
his feet, and brought his hands violent
ly down upon the table, telling them lie
would not and could not listen to such
petitions. They, with an assurance
never to be imagined, would still go
on. -. t.. .t.a
Men with defiant faces, men whining
and pleading, and forward women,
graspsd his arms to arrest his attention.
His patience with such rudness was
wonderful. Ifhe expressed contempt
for affectations, he also did not forget to
respect modesty and real sorrow when
he met it.
Again the little bell was rung, and
again the room was filled. Those who
had just gone out muttered their disgust
for the good man who listened from ear.
ly morning until late at night to people
Of every grade.
Often the President was grave to sad.
ness. For hours in succession he ex.
pressed no anger, no mirth. Petition
after petition was presented in rapid
succession. It was the same story OF
sorrow-of fathers, brothers and hus.
bands in prison, each pleading for theirs
to be first released in the exchange OF
prisoners. Some had dear ones dying
in camp, beyond the lines; they were
Logging to go to them; hundreds had
made the same request.
'Oh, let US 60 to them-only let US
go!"
There were bands of poor, oppressed
sewing. women stating their wrongs
Peace commissioners and Southern refu-
gees.
Many times the President started tc
70 to his private room; but sad face.
pressing up the stairway stopped him as
he was crossing the hall, and he went
back again.
"Do, kind President, grant my re-
quest"
The woman's voice was very plain
tive, aud large tears were falling, bu
she made no sound of crying.
NO, no, I cannot? l might gran
such requests a thoufand a.day. l can
turn the Government inside out aud up
side over. can't please everybody.
must do my duty-stern duty AS l see it
Nobody wants their friends dratted-no
body wants them taken as deserters
He should not have taken upon bimsel
the appearance of q deserter. How dc
know-how does any ybody know-ho~
does the War Department know-tha
he did not intend to stay upon the boa
where the soldiers found him? How
does anybody know that he didn'
think about his furlough being ended
Didn't think! That was his busines:
to think. am sorry. Every body
ought TO be sorry for those who dt
wrong. When lie knew the laws, why
did he break them? When he knew
the penalty, why did he bring it upoi
himself? You plead for him, and tel
me how upright he is. That's all yer,
we'll. 1t is easy for us to overestimat'
the goodness of those we love. You are
his neighbor. 1t is very kind Of you t
come so far and plead so strongly; bu
Il can't-I can not do anything 70
you"
please, President Linco,n!"
mo, no! no, no! can't won't
l won't!" and he sprang 10 his feet, bu
in all instant resumed his former posi-
tion in his chair, and leaned forward t
snap the little bell.
"Oh! oh!"
1t was a sound Of intense grief, disap
pointment. and surprise, all mingled 20
gsther; coming up SO from the heart a
this peculiar sound did, it arrested tn
hand upon the bell. lifted the eyes tha
were growing cold and stern to tn
pleading face of the woman before him
She had left her chair, and stood so nea
that her clothes brushed against him
Heavy were the lines upon her face
lines of care and sorrow; earnest wer
the tear dimmed eyes.
"Do, kind sir consider my case me
ment more-oh, President Lincoln! Re
member, you were poor once--and-an
u
Had no friends, do you mean ?" h
, interrupted, almost scornfully.
, "No-oh, no!-had few friends
tried and true friends, who would neve
forsake you. Only one Of them kno'
-one, who is alike a friend to you an
to me. For his sake-for our dear Lord
sake-grant my petition!
There was n striking solemnity in he
3 whole attitude; and the President turI
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