The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1916-04-06

She accused was deserved and must
be carried out
Then Senator Henderson appealed to
the president.
Mr.. Lincoln during the war was re-
garded By those high in command as
stumbling block to military discipline.
So tender hearted was he that he
could not refrain from interfering In
the case Of deserters from the Union
army and such persons on the Con-
federate side as were caught SNUG
Cling contraband goods or information
into the south. Often, where the ac-
cusations We're clearly proved, the pres
ident would defeat justice by 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 it
up, thus declining to respect It But in
this case the president overruled the
secretary and ordered 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.
vaughan's life that had not been util-
lied. 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 pardon for the
condemned Confederate, urging the
fact that the war was practically over
and such an act of clemency would
60 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, land 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 Of this 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.
It was the 18th Of April. 1865. Sen.
ator Henderson called upon the pres
fdent to report the issue Of his fina
effort with the secretary of war. The
senator was shown to Mr.. Lincoln's
private room. where he found hin
dressing for the theater.
"Mr. Stanton will do nothing" said
Henderson. There is no hope.
| Mr.. Lincoln shook his head; theI
without word he seated himself al
desk and, taking up pen and paper
began to write.
No other such scene fraught with III
and death occurred during those darl
days of war. Placed on canvas by al
artist It would be: The, long. gaun
president. sitting at his desk about t.
write a pardon for one of his coun
try,s enemies. his face wearing an ex
preston of magnanimity. Near b!
would stand the senator. silently won
dering what the writing would be AM
hoping for victory. Overlooking tn
president is the Shadow Of Death. veal
ing a mingled expression Of disappoint
ment and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
at being cheated out Of one victim
! satisfaction at the certainty Of secul
ing a far more important one In tn
} man who was robbing him Of the othel
When Mr.. Lincoln had written FEY
, lines he handed the paper to the ser
ator Henderson scanned It with
look or mln&leO piedSuEe uAu SAAuAuP,
It was a pardon for George Vaugha
and an order for his release.
Having expressed his gratitude
: Mr. Lincoln the senator hurried to tn
telegraph to flash the good news
: Missouri. relieving the strain on tn
condemned Confederate and gladde
the hearts of his brother and Other
! who loved him.
But the president. shortly after TN
act of mercy. descended to q ca
Rage and was driven to the theate
and while sitting in his chair, possiDl
thinking rather of the life he had spa
cd than the play. was sent to bis lor
: home by one who thought ne serve
,he same cause as the man he had pa
; doned. Es 4,
Half q century has passed since u
. ,ender hearted president was martyre
!, There have been many anecdotes To-
:, him but none so affecting as tn