The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-12

Editor of The Times;
SIR. Every in,iisnt connected with
President Davis is OF great interest. l
accidentally found this TEN few days
ago.
.The laa. Of Petersburg petition for
the pardon OF Jefferson Davis.
"The following petition. signed by over
six hundred ladies OF Petersburg, has
been forwarded To- his Excellcncy, Prosi-
dent johnson. praying for the pardon or
Jefferson Davis This method of reaching
the President has been adopted in other
States and cities. and the appeal for
clomency I'm behalf OF the great state
prisoner bids fair 10 become universal
throughout the land over which he lately
ruled. VIII the President disregard the
earnest prayers of so large a portion Of
the nation?'
petersburg. Oct, 1865.
President Johnson:
"Honored Sir:
1--WE. the ladies Of the Cockade city OF
Virginia. approach your Excollency re-
que,ting executive clemency for our be-
loved captive head, late President Jeftor-
son Davis. who is bound TO each one or
our section of the land by the indis-
soluble ties of friendship love, and Vene'
ration. called by the unanimous voice
of the people Of the South TO lead them
CAS- Joshua of Old. he accepted the honor
OF being enshrined in the history Of the
nation as its chief. forced there by the
free suffrage of a united people From
the moment OF his coercion up to tho
hour OF his capture, he commanded the
respect not only of tho people of the
late Confederate States. but Of the world
nj large and especially Of the United states
Governments His opinions were received
everywhere as the will of the people,
whose mOuthpiece he was. lie has our
love Tor every virtue which adorned the
Christian. the gentleman. and the patriot
shown forth In every act with the bril-
lancy OF the morning sun, rejecting honor
upon his country. dignity upon his Gov
ermeut. and purity upon tho social cir
Gle. our yeueration-fOr called by eight
millions Of freeman 10 rule every creed
and political party gave In immediate and
unrestralned obedience followed where
he pointed the way, ohcyed without a
murmur the law promulgated by his coun-
ell and cheerfully gave up every COM
fort for the public good at his suggestion.
Now we lie powerless at the feet OF a
victorious Governments. Our brave
brothers sleep in their honored graves.
or walk beside bearing on their persons
marks of the fierce conflict which has
tried their courage and manllness, with
every comfort buried in the general wreck
of war. With naught but their energies
and honor remaining having given in
their adhesion TO the laws of the land, and
taken the 0aths of fidelity TO the Govern
meut. they have become quiet citizens Of
the same. only asking to be permitted
90 remove the numerous vestiges Of the
conflict, which you, sir, seem, not only
willing. but determined TO accord TO US.
With your hand upon the helm (COnsti-
tuuonal RghD, you are giving a sublime
picture 10 the world of heroic fortitudc.
The tempest. though subsiding, still causes
the ship of state TO plunge and reel; yet.
upheld by justice and patriots of the land
she may be anchored in the safe haven
OF the constitutional Rights" as laid
down by our noble sres.
The ark was borne upon the waters
of wrath. yet lifted 10 the summit of a
mountain, It there remained monument
of Gods mercy, and from IL n dove WAS
gent. which returned with au olive branch
VIII you not send out the dove (hope)
10 him whose only fault was, HE did
not reject the dangerous honor with more
stabiliry?' VIII you not permit the Gov
eminent 70 the ark. now borne above
the waters of strife. ana its chief banner
that the prayers Of wives, Mothers and
children may ascend to the Throne Of
Grace from the deepest recesses Of their
hearts not only Tor the welfare OF the
country. but also Tor your long life and
prosperity
you would feel that you had not only
comritted an act Of justice but mercy,
tO release one whose days are num-
bered, whose feet are already chilled
by the breeze from that unseen
undiscovered country, and 10 hear in your
dreams (as in your waking mOments),
borne upon the wings OF the bowling
winter tempteSts, the whispered zephyrs
OF spring. tho hum Of summers life and
the soft. dswy airs Of autumn. the pray
ers from millions OF hearts-'God bless
him in time and eternity Tor his mercy
ondureth forever
YOUR PETITIONERS"
V. Z. Davidson, Petersburg. Va, July
1 OR