The Southern herald., 1885-05-23

WAzH1zs1oy. D. G., Nay 16, 1855.
Il is evident that the President has
concluded to disabuso the mind Of those
Musuumps Who think that tie admins
tration Is 70 be run distncively il their
interest That Mr.. Cleveland knows
what hsi about, is as patent as anything
IN the line Of political manifestation can
be known. Il vas expected that he
would perform some act OF eondeseen-
sion as a token Of Mugwumpian recog-
milton, bat be never meant them as an
indication that be intended to submit
himself humbly to the guidln,e Of the
few Independents who have arrogated to
themselves the whole credit Of securing
Democratic ascendeney in the Govern
ment Having, as have said, eOnelud-
ed to keep himself and his administra-
ton perfectly untrammeled by any pre-
sumed obligation to this small coterie Of
smaller politicians, we may reasonably
expect to see the columns of the New
York Times and Harper's Weekly, and
other disgruntled journals pouring out
their yials Of wrath upon the admins
tratiOn because Of its attitude Of indie
lpendenee. There has been, and still is,
a bitter feeling among many Democrats
because the work Of dscapitating Re-
publicans has been slow. From the
standpoint of the ofiieeseeker that work
has been slow, but Mr.. Cleveland is not
the President of the ofieeseekers, and
the large number Of changes already
made ought to be sufficient indication of
his ayowed purpose to go slow, pur-
pose more firmly adhered to because Of
the tremendous pressure that has been
brought upon him by these place-hun-
ters. / have to say therefore that the
President is determined to transact the
public business upon business princi-
pies, and that the first business is to put
Democrats in Office to transact it.
In digging over some rubbish at the
arsenal the other day, the cross-piece Of
the gallows upon which Mrs. Surratt
was executed in 1865 came to light to
awaken some historical recollections Of
that tragic period in the life Of our coun-
try. The opinion that this terrible pun.
ishment should not have been visited
upon this woman under the peculiar
} circumstances of her connection with
the conspiracy to assassinate the Presi
dent, is now entertained probably by Q
large majority of those who clamoret
for her blood in the exciting time Of hel
trial and conviction by a military com
mission. / went out to Mount Olivef
the other day to visit the grave of this
unfortunate woman, whose resting place
is in secluded portion Of the cemetery
A simple stone with the inscription
"Mrs. .Surratt, is all that marks the spot
There is no date of birth or death, n,
J inkling of her terrible history, no ful
t some epitaph to sound the praises O
| friends or relatives, though some kin,
t hand had recently strewn some choic
flowers upon the mound. 1t is said b,
those who knew Mrs. Surratt well, tina
she was the kindest of mothers, a mos
9 devoted wife, a woman possessed of NOR
Q than ordinary intelligence, and who'll
Q incapable Of performing the part in tn
# conspiracy which eliminated in tn
i death of President Lincoln, for whic
4 her life was sacrificed. Be this as
! may, it is not probable in this day an
i generation that the motives and inter
IS tiOns that actuated her in becoming a
e accomplce therein, will ever be discol
> cred. PHoYo.
n A WOman's Heart.