The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-09-22
THE TRIAL or MRS. 8URRATT.

by MIR. John w. Clampitt, the junior
counsel for that unfortunate woman.
Mr.. ClampiLt, the son OF a plain
Georgetown artisan, has risen. by
force of industry, perseverance, and
steady devotion to all duties. to a
high rank in his profession, and these
strong traits Of his uneonsciousiy re-
veal themselves in every sentence OF
his earnest narrative. Nearly all
the important points in this recital
of the case have been before presen-
ted, but the connected tale now pub
lished acquires a new force from its
continuity and viyacity. After re-
viewing and giving its full value to
the testimony against Mrs. Surratt,
Mr.. Clampitt expresses his opinion
that the military commission was or.
ganized to convict, and, in the then
state Of public opinion, would have
convicted, evidence or no evidence.
He then proceeds to show how his
efforts To save Mrs. Surratt, after the
judgment Of the commission bad
been rendered, were baffled by the
suspension Of the writ Of habeas cor,
pus by President Andrew johnson.
The White House was guarded By
soldiers, placed there by Judge Ad-
vocate General Holt and Preston
King, who denied admittance to all
corners. Mr.. CIampitt and Mrs. Sur
raft attempted in vain to make an
impression on Mr.. Holt. They final
" induced him 10 meet them at the
Executive mansion. When they
reached there he was just coming.
He said: Il can do nothing. The
President is immovable. He has
carefully examined the fpdings of
the commission, and has no reason
to change the date of execution, and
you might as we'll attempt to over
throw this building as to alter his
decision" They then, by advice Of
Reverdy Johnson, applied to Judge
Andrew Wylie, reused him at two
o'clock in the morning, and demand
ed the writ of habeas corpus. The
Judge heard them in silence, took the
papers to his room and presently re-
turned. my mind is made up"
said he. II have always endeayored
to perform my duty fearlessly, as l
understand it. | am constrained to
decide the points in your petition
well taken. l am about to perform
an act which before to-morrow's sun
goes down may consign me to the
Old Capitol prison. 1 believe it to
be my duty, as judge, to order this
writ to issue, and l shall SO issue it,"
The United States marshal served
the writ upon Gen. Hancock. The
President and his ill-advisers believ
ing, however, that General Hancock
would undoubtedly obey the writ, as
sumed the illegal authority OF suC-
pending it. Gen. Hancock appeared
in obedience to that summons before
Judge WyIie, accompanied by the
Attorney-Geaeral of the United
States, who, as the representative Of
the President, presented TO the court
the following return, which was an
executive order suspending the writ
Of habeas corpus, TO wit:
':ExECUTIYE OFFICE, July 7, 1865, 10 a. MO
| Major-General w. s. Hancock, commanding, ETC.:
l. Andrew johnson, President of the United States
do hereby declare that the writ of habeas corpus
has been heretofore suspended in such cases as
this, and do hereby especially suspend this writ,
and direct that you proceed to execute the order
heretofore given upon the judgment Of the militia
ny commission and you will give this order in re-
turn to this writ.
''ANDREw JOHNSON, President"
The account continues: