The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-18
Whv Did Booth XII Lincoln


The Wilmington Messenger recently
published an article by DR.. Geo. a.
Foote. of Warrenton, n. O., which pur-
ports to give the true explanation OF the
murder of President Lincoln by John
Wilkes Booth
According to the story told by DR.
Foote. Booth had friend named Beall
who had committed some crime against
the Federal government. Booth was
deyotedly attached to this friend, and
used every effort to have executive
clemency exercised in Beall's behalf
when the latter was condemned TO die.
Powerful influences were set To work
to secure respite for the prisoner and
Communication of his sentence, and
there appeared to be an excellent chance
that something might be done. Mr.
Lincoln appeared 10 be affected by the
representations made in Beall's behalf.
Suddenly the news was spread that the
execution Of the prisoner had actually
taken place, having been ordered I'M
mediately for "reaSons of state. "
Now, the theory advanced by DR.
Foote and those who believe in the &C
curacy Of his narrative is that this treat
ment Of his friend by the President SO
worked upon Booth 5 feelings that he
became insane. and his insanity ma
turally took the form of desire 20 kill
Mr.. Lincoln by way Of revenge. The
Charleston News aud Courier. comment.
ing upon the article by Or. FOote. says
that the story is not new to it, and
proceeds TO give some interesting de-
tails that have come to its own know
ledge. AS the tale was told to the
News and Courier, Booth was equally
DESTROYS to have the blood of Secretary
Seward for il was understood that the
arguments Of Seward had prevailed
upon the President TO take summary
steps to terminate all efforts for the
Communication of Beall' sentence. The
strength Of these efforts is TO cOnsid-
cradle extent explained by the state
ment that Booth was engaged to be
married to the daughter Of New En-
gland Senator.
AS lending confirmation to the bell I
that the assassination of Lincoln was
due to very different motives from those
commonly assigned, our Charleston
contemporary refers to the fact that the
government has carefully withheld
Booths diary from the public eye and
"has never allowed line of it to come
tc light" The persons who told the
story to tbs News and Courier stated
that Booths private papers contained
full account Of his feelings and mo-
tives with relation to the killing Of the
President, and that this account was
exactly in the line with the narrative
of DIR. FOote. All this is exceedingly
absorbing. 1t would seem that enough
time has passed now for the government
to let the Booth diary be read En-
gland is noted for the tenaciousness
with which her government clings to
state secrets. but even in England
the rule is, we believe, to publish most
Of them after generation has passed
away. 1t is hard to see what harm it
could do to publish Booths own state
ment Of his motives for the sssassina-
tion. AS the Messenger truly says,
there is no doubt that if the revelation
made in its columns and in those of
the News and Courier had been made
by one Of the great New York dailies
it would compel the attention that it
deserves. We should like very much TO
see the subject pursued farther.