Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-11-12

at Memphis, anu but one uealn
A violent gale prevailed on the 10Th inst on
the English and Irish coasts.
EecutiOn of Mrs. Suraaft-Nr. john
SONS Reply to Judge Holt
WASHINGTON November LEX. President
johnson has addressed communication to the
Washington Chronicle in repyto thai OF Judge
Holt, published in the same paper 10 August
last no the subject OF the execution of Mrs.
Surratt as one Of the assasslns of President
Lincoln.
JUDGE Hollis LONG SILENCE.
Mr. Johnson says Eight years have elaps-
ed since the American people were called On TO
mourn the death Of Mr.. Lincoln, whose unset
fish devotion to the Union and genuine sympa-
thy with the masses have made his name u
household word not only 10 the North but III
the once rcbellious South. During this long
interval Judge Holt has remained silent, and
only at this late day attempts to meet the
charge made, as he declares in his Iettor to the
Secretary of War soon after the execution Of
Mary Z. Surratt, that he withheld from the
President, when presenting the record OF her
trial, a petition signed by five members of the
court recommending, in consideration OF her
age and sex, a Communication Of her death sen
teuce to Imprisonment for life in the peuiten-
tiary
Having at last gathered what he terms the
proofs Of his Innocence he offers them Tor the
consideration of the War Department, aud at
the same time seeks consolation in the fact
that, Notwithstanding the allegation made
against him, the President ordered no court
for his trial, had no charges preferred, and made
no open accusation, but to the close OF his adj
ADMINISTRATION continued with him the same Off
cial relations as before without giving the rea-
SOUS which at that time would In all probability
have operated against any development oil the
facts 10 this case. The question suggests itself
why Judge Holt, iu this attack upon his Off
cial integrity, did not himself demand court
of inquiry. All his
WITNESSES WERE THEN LIVING,
the circumstances attending the execution OF
the couspirators were fresh IN the public mind;
his reputation was at stake, and must have
been as dear to him then as now; yet he sought
no vindicatiou. but has preferred to wait until
the memory of friends. dwmed by years, could
be made to give him the beneft of its doubts
and uncertainties. Well versed in the law, lie
has evidently weighed the advantages which
delay would give him; skilled in sophistry, he
uses to the best advantage all that he considers
proved by his friends, and even construes my
torbearance as evidence IN his tavor.
THE RECORD AND THE PETITION.
After reviewing the evidence adduced by
Judge Holt, Mr.. johnson says in his search
for testimony Judge Holt succeeded in dis
covering only one witness who said he saw
the record of the case with the petition attach
ed in the Presidents Office. This witness is
Hon. Jas. Speed, theu Attorney General, who
is undoubtedly mistaken in his statements, for,
as already shown, the findings and sentence of
the court we're submitted on the 9Th eff July,
he aud being alone, were then and there APP
proved by the executive, and taken By the
Judge advocate general to the War Department,
where, on the same afternoon, the order to
carry them into effect was issued. Mr. Speed
doubtless saw the record, but it must have
been in the Department Of War, not in the
executive Offices.
''In this connection Mr. Harlan's letter has
significance and value, for 10 referring to an in
formal discussion by cabinet members upon the
subject, at which he tiuks Mr.. Speed was pres
emit be positively states that neither at that
time nor at any other was any part OF the re-
cord of the trial, the decision OF the court, or
the recommendation for clemency read in his
presence.
The record of the court was submitted to
me by Judge Holt in the afternoon OF the fifth
day of July, 1865. Instead Of entering the ex
ecutive mansion by the usual way he gained
admission by the private or family entrance to
the executive office. The examination of the
papers took place in the library, and he and |
alone were present. The sentence of the court
in the cases of Harold, Atzerodt and Payne
were considered in the order named, and then
the
SENTENCE IN THE CASE OF MRS. SURRATT
''In acting upon her case 20 recommendation
for Communication of her punishment was men
toned or submitted to me, but the question OF
her sex, which had already been adverted to
and discussed 10 newspaper columns, present
ed itself and was commented upon both by
Judge Holt and myself with peculiar force and
solemnty. He urged that the fact that the
criminal was a woman was 10 itself no excuse
or paIliation; that when woman "unsexcd
herself and entered the arena OF crime 1t was
rather an aggravaton than mitigation OF the
offense; that the law was not made to punish
men only, but all without regard to sex, who
violated it's provisions That to discriminate
in favor of Mrs Surratt and against Harold
Atzerodt and Payne, who were sentenced By
the same court, and at the same time to
suffer the penalty of death, would be
to offer premium to the female sex to
engage 10 crime and become the principal &C.
tors 10 its commission. That since the rebel
lion began in some portions of the country te-
males had been prominent 10 aiding and abettiDg
traitors, and he thought the time had come
when it was absolutely necessary in case so
clearly and conclusiyely established to set an
example which would have salutary influence
He was not only la favor of the approval of the
sentence, but Its execution at the earliest prac-
ticable day.
Upon the termination of our consultation
JUDGE HOLT WROTE THE ORDER
approving the sentence OF the court. | affixed
my name it, and relliug up the papers be
took his leave, carrying the record with him.
and departing as he had come, through the
family or private entrance. From the above
statement it will be noted the papers were
not submitted 10 the usual way by the Secre-
tary of War, but brought to the residence by
the Judge Advocate General, under, OF course
the instructions OF Mr.. Stanton.
This doubtless was done to save time and
bosta, rho ,vonnt;on and epipcps the snirit