Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-11-09
MORTON, DAVIS AND JOHNSON.
How the Governor Induced the President
to Pardon the Indiana ConspiratOrs.
Laura Ream in the New York Sun

HOW the Governor Induced the President
to Pardon the Indiana Conspirators.
Laura Ream in the New York Sun.
cannot speak authoritatively, of
course, not having seen Senator Morton
since the publication in the Atlanta
Constitution of the article copied in the
San of this date, under the head of
JEFF Davis and the Gallows," but from
my knowledge of the course of Senator
Morton during the war, | am satisfied
that he had no desire to have Mr. Davis
executed. | judge so particularly from
his interference in the death sentence
passed upon the Indiana conspirators,
Milligan and Bowles The particulars
have had from different sources.
1t will be remembered that the prom
inent leaders of an organization in Indi-
ana, known as the knights of the Gold
en- Circle, were arrested, tried and con-
victed of treason by military commits
sion and condemned to be hung. An ef-
fort was pending for remission of the
sentence when Mr. Lincoln was assassin
ated | remember, in the general con-
sternation caused by the event, Mr.. Nc
Donald (now United States Senator) ex-
claimed, Now, those poor fellows will
be hung!' or words to that effect. Gov.
Morton did not so give it up. He at
once dispatched special messenger to
President johnson, asking his executive
clemency.
At the last moment, when an answer
was expected, the governor was startled
to find that the messenger, distrusting
the success OF his cause had not pre-
sented the petition to Mr.. johnson. 1t
was then the evening before the time set
for the execution of the criminals
There was no time to be lost. The gov
ernor telegraphed to friend in Wash
ington, confding to his care telegram
to the President, with strict injunctions
to deliver it in person Immediately.
The friend received it after dark, and
went at once to the White House. The
answer to his demand to see the Pesi-
dent was. that Mr.. Johnson was at din
ncr and could not be disturbed 1t was
then nearly 9 o'clock. Say to the Pres
ident," said the gentleman, that | am
the bearer OF an important message from
Gov. Morton, and must see him. 1t is a
matter of life and DEATH
The word was delivered to MIR. John
son, who babe the messenger come into
the dining room. AS he entered, the
President arose from the table, and,
meeting him near the door, took the tel
egram from his hand and read it in
silence The accustomed gravity Of his
countcnance and demeanOr grew more
impressive as he took few turns up
and down the room. Still he did not ut
ter word, and the suspense of his Wis
itor grew apace. At length Mr.. John
son paused under the light of the chan
delier, and, as if recalling to mind an i'm
portant matter, again glanced over the
telegram, which he still held in his hand.
His eye was arrested by the date, and
saying "Come with me into the library,
he wrote an answer which he handed to
the gentleman to read. 1t was re-
prieve Il will send it myself" said the
President. Telegraph also, if you de-
sire, he continued, taking back the dis
patch and pointing to the dispatch book
On his part, Gov. Morton did not sleep
until that dispatch was received.
think it was after midnight, and the
good tidings were at once conveyed to
the prisoners and their counsel
In the early part of Mr.. Johnson's ad-
ministration he and Senator Morton
were fast friends. The last Sunday the
Senator passed in Washington before
his departure for Europe he spent alone
with the President. 1t would be of in
terest to the public if the views express
ed between them could be detailed, AT
parting, Mr.. Johnson took Senator Nor
tons hand in both his own, and with
tears in his eyes wished him God-speed
restoration to health, and safe return
Years afterward, at the time of the first
nomination of ex-President Grant, Mr.
Johnson was at the same hotel with Mr.
Morton in Washinton (the Metropoli-
TAM and their friendly intercourse was
renewed No one was more profoundly
affected by Mr.. JOhnson's death than
Senator Morton. He talked a great deal
about it, and dwelt with sort OF wonder
upon the fact of having survived him
He referred to that Sunday they had
passed together, and the number of Wig
orous men, with promise of long life
Sumner, Chase, Stanton, and others
who had passed away since he had been
afflicted.
| might add in support of the improb
ability of Senator Morton seeking the
life Of Mr.. Davis the uniform kindness
he showed to the friends of the prison
ers, and the prisoners themselves, al
Camp Morton, the rebel prison at Indi
annapolis, but the above is sufficient.