The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1916-06-29

Cling contraband goods or information
into the south. Often, where the ac-
cusations were clearly proved, the pres.
dent would defeat justice by a par
don. 1t is related that Secretary Stan
ton, to whom was given great power
to thwart this interference on the part
Of the president, on presentation Of an
order from Mr.. Lincoln In behalf of
some luckless individual would tear 1t
up, thus declining to respect 1t. But In
this case the president overruled the
secretary and ordered a new trial for
the condemned man.
The hopes that were raised in ALI
mon Vaughan by this interference
were doomed to disappointment The
officers of the court, refusing to per-
NIT their feelings to influence them,
returned a second verdict of guilty.
Again the president was appealed to,
again he ordered another trial, and
again the same verdict was returned.
Naturally these three trials con-
sumed great deal of time, and when
the last verdict was returned the
spring of 1865 had opened, and the
end Of the war was In sight. Senator
Henderson refused to be discouraged.
There was one means Of saving George
Vaughan's life that had not been util-
ized President Lincoln possessed the
pardoning power In such cases, and
the senator resolved to make an ef-
fort in that direction.
Visiting the White House, he OBJ
tanned access to the kind hearted pres
ident and solicited a pardon for the
condemned Confederate, urging the
fact that the war was practically over
and such an act of clemency would
go far to bringing the Confederates of
Missouri back into the Union fold.
"See Stanton" said Mr.. Lincoln, land
tell him that this man must be re-
leased
II have seen him." replied the sen.
ator, ''and he will do nothing
"See him again." said the president,
land If he will do nothing come back
to me-"
Again Senator Henderson sought the
iron secretary, who set his square
jaws and refused to interfere with the
verdict of the court martial. Had
AllmOn Vaughan known ofNthis final
effort to save his brother from an ig.
nominious death and of the shadow
that was then hanging over the only
man who could save him he would
have lost all hope.
1t was the 18th of April, 1865. Sen
ator Henderson called upon the pres
ident to report the issue of his final
effort with the secretary Of war. The
senator was shown to Mr.. Lincoln's
private room, where he found him
dressing for the theater.
"Mr. Stanton will do nothing" said
Henderson. "There is no hope"
Mr.. Lincoln shook his head; then
without a word he seated himself at
desk and, taking up pen and paper,
began to write.
No other such scene fraught with life
days of war. Placed on canvas by an
artist it would be: The long, gaunt
president, sitting at his desk about to
write pardon for one of his coun-
try's enemies, his face wearing an ex-
preston of magnanimity. Near by
would stand the senator, silently won
dering what the writing would be and
hoping for victory. Overlooking the
president is the Shadow Of Death, wear
ing mingled expression of disappoint-
ment and on-disappointment
at being cheated out of one victim,
satisfaction at the certainty Of secur-
ing far more important one in the
man who was robbing him of the other.
When Mr.. Lincoln had written few
lines he handed the paper to the SEN
ator. Henderson scanned it with a
look of mingled pleasure and triumph
It was pardon for George Vaughan
and an order for his release.
Having expressed his gratitude to
Mr.. Lincoln the senator hurried to the
telegraph to flash the good news to
Missouri, relieving the strain ON the
condemned Confederate and gladden.
the hearts of his brother and others
who loved him.
But tho president, shortly after this
act Of mercy, descended to car
Rage and was driven to the theater
and while sitting in his chair, possibly
thinking rather Of the life he had spar
ed than the play, was sent to his long
home by one who thought he served
the same cause as the man he had par
doned.
Half century has passed since the
tender hearted president was martyred
There have been many anecdotes told
| Of him, but none SO affecting as this
writing Of pardon for a Confederate
officer and going directly to his death
at the hands of Booth. We have
Mr.. Lincoln's speech at the dedication
OF the field Of Gettysburg. Every day
Is advancing Mr.. Lincoln in the adj
miration and the hearts of the civilized
world. Beside its impressive words
should stand this last act Of his life
from which the pardoner went to his
ovn death. His words Of conservation
on the battlefield were long In being
recognized for their true value and IN
finding the place among men they &C.
cupy today. Perhaps at some future
date this last official act-an act Of
csemency-may take its place beside
bis words at Gettysburg.
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