The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1873-11-28
tFrom the vicksburg Herald
Andy johnson ana Joe Holt!


The unsavory controversy between ex
President johnson and Judge Advocate
Holt, concerning their responsibility for the
murder VI Mrs. Surratt, il not likely to end
with the communication published last
week by Mr.. johnson in his own defense,
Judge Holt. we see il announced, has com.
mrnced a rejninder, and will give il to the
public at an early day. MIR. johnson as
serts that he never saw the recommendation
for melcy or even heard Of il until after the
execution had taken place. He details the
circumstances under which the sentence Of
the Court was submitted to him, and says
It seems little strange that Judge Holt
should allow seven years to eapse, before
meeting the charge which was. as he declares
in his letter e. the Secretary Of War, made
soon after the execution of Mary E. Surratt.
Then the subject was fresh il the minds OF
every one, and the witnesses on the very
stage Of life. From the letter Of the ex.
President, it seems that the petition signed
by i've members Of the hanging commission,
recommending, in consideration of the
prisoners age and sex, commutation Of
her sentence to imprisonment for nf4 in the
peniteniiary, did not come through the war
ultice, which would have been the proper
channel, but was brought to the President
by Judge Holt in person, who took time to
run over the findings with the executive,
and then carried the papers away, after re.
ceivng the Presidents approval Of the
various sentences. The letter adds that
Judge Holt, 10 the interview over the find.
ings Of the court, urged him not 10 take into
consideration the question Of age OF sex to
Influence his action in the case, as the law
neither made nor contemplated any dis
tinction on that account; and tEat the
woman who had so unspxrd herself, aud in
his opinion, aided in the assassination Of
the President Of tile United Sta'es, Just as
his brow was bling crowned with wreaihs
of national victory. was more worth Of
condign punishment than a man who had
been equally gnilty Of assassination. We
think MIR, johnson can affored TO let his
case rest where he hns now placed IT, The
position Of Judge Holt is awkward and un.
enviable. He first declared Mrs. Surratt
was principal in the assassination; that
she was properly tried under the articles Of
war AID justly sentenced to death, and now
lie comes firth with a card to prove that her
execution was a heinous crime and that
Andrew johnson is 10 blame for it, because
he ignored the recommendation for mercy.
Mr.. Jnhnsons whole course in the matter
has keen plain and consistent; that Of Judge
Holt the very reverse. Nothing wonld
satisfy him but the lifrless form Of Mrs.
Surra4t.
He fairly gIoated for the barren conquest,
and though he knew great minds ever erect
their never-faiing trophies on the firm base
Of mercy, he refused to. wear nobilitys tue
badge won 10 this way. Nature gave
second groan, and some sad drops Tell at
the completing Of the mortal sin, but the
sdlmant heart OF Joe Holt was as dead to
pity as that Of Shylock. But as time
moves on. and visions Of the great bar Of
justice above fit across the brain Of Holt,
he rises 10 shake off the heavy load and
try and free himself here below Of the
recollection Of that suspended woman. with
hangmsD, Harfzaunt hard by as an execu-
tioner, Such is the fate of guit-it will
not down at our bidding. "'ris guilt alone,
like brain sick phrenzy, in its frverish
mood, 6lIs the light air with visionary ter
rors and sbapeess forms Of fear"