Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1910-04-08

time since he was graduated. He was
Gaming against the cigar stand. There
were several OF Ms present who had
known him Ia college, and we all gath
cred about him, for he had recently
been appointed assistant private secre-
tnry 10 President Lincoln.
And now, II not before, II will 10
recognized that this rosy checked boy
poet was none other than John Hay.
This is a big thing you've fallep
into. John"
"Yes.o he replied. with z twinkle 81
the eye and bis good nntured smile
"'m keeper Of the presidents con-
science"
The youngster with whom we were
joking was TO spend four years under
the influence Of the patience. the wis
dom and the foresight Of the martyr
president. being trained the while 70
execute. after an interval OF forty
years, an important diplomatic work.
and will probably go down in history
as the Ablest diplomat the United
States has produced. Though John
Hay possessed the natural ability for
his later work. there can be no doubt
that he imbibed the patience and
learned the methods from his chief
while conducting the nation through
the most perllous period In It's his
tory.
hut 10 return 10 my story. While
John Hay was occupying an Office
adjoining that OF President Lincoln
his college friend. the Kentuckian,
Clarence Bate OF Louisville, had turned
rebel aud was lighting for the south.
In the beginning Kentucky was d.
vided state. One-haif Of Its people
were with the Union, the other half
with the Confederacy. II IL probable
that IL was on this account that Bate
became identified with one OF those
bands having no legitimacy us Con-
federate soldiers who were doing their
best 10 carry the state out OF the
Union. At any rate, Bate was taken
prisoner with arms In his hand against
the sovereignty OF the United States
having neither commission nor hav-
ing been enlisted In the Confederate
service.
Later In the war. when one Of these
''eitizens," MS they were called, were
captured and brought before n com
handing officer. after hearing what
his captors had to say on the subject.
the commander. with a wave OF his
hand. would say: "Take him away.
don't want TO see any more of him."
This was on order, understood by the
captors, to take the man out and shoot
him. The prisoner was then conduct.
ed 10 ON open space, told to run and
shot down while running.
But Clarence hate was tried by mill
tary court martial and sentenced 10 be
| ahot
Bate belonged 90 prominent family
In Louisville. lie had been engaged to
be married while In college, but wheth-
| or he Ind been married don't know.
There was o quick consultation among
his friends. His old friend Hay was
close 10 the president, the only man
who by exercising the pardonlng pow
er could save his life. There was one
chance, and only one. for Bate. That
was TO secure Hays influence for @
pardon. Hut was there time? Would
Hay feel that his conscience would per
nit him to ask such a favorT Would
the presidents conscience permit him
10 grant II II asked?
| Was not John Hay, as he had hui
morously said. "the keeper OF the pres
ident's consclencef"
A friend OF the condemned man sped
20 Washington rs quick rs train could
carry him, bearing request that Hay
would do all In his power TO save the
life OF his old friend and brother In the
fraternity OF which they were both
members.
The messenger ON his arrival at the
capital, having secured an interview
with Hay In his office In the White
House. presented the request.
What singular situationl Two stu
dents have been together in many 1
college symposium, have played many
prank In company. A few year
pass. Probably they have not me
since those happy college days. Sud
denly one Is handed n request TO save
the others life. Aud more-it he can
not save II his friend must diet
Hay took the letter through doc
communicating with the presidents prl
vate office. leaving the door aJar. TIL
messenger heard indistlnctly some con
versatlon between the president an'
his secretary; then the words, Spoken
by Hay. IAN can say Is that he. 1
my friend"
go over TO the par,lonlng office" re
piled the president, "have pardol
made out. and will sign H."
John Hay &C that time could no
haze hAen morn than fMontY.IMo o