The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-02-20

sorry to say to you that I cannot posi-
bly, interfere with the sentence OF the
court"
Mr.. Lincoln turned away from the
woman, but was recalled to her by the
sound Of a falling body. She had
tainted.
The president hastened to her. raised
her and called an attendant Together
they worked over her till she was re-
stored to consciousness.
At the time the secretary Of war, Mr..
Stanton, and the generals OF the army
were complaining bitterly OF Mr.. Lin
coins interference with their efforts to
maintain discipline by pardoning those
who were sentenced, especially for de-
sertion. It was these complaints that
had moved him to put curb on his
sympathies and refrain from interfer-
ence. Papers In the case Of Arthur At
water had passed through the war de-
partment, and Mr.. Stanton had fore
stalled any action on the part Of Mr..
Lincoln in the doomed mans favor.
When the woman had recovered she
begged so hard that the president would
hear her side of the story that he final
ly consented to do so. If you really
come here for justice" he said, sitting
down beside her, you shall have It,
and it win make me happy to give it,
but IL you merely wish to work on my
sympathies in order to blind me to my
duty you will make me miserable with
out making yourself less miserable"
God bless you, Mr.. PRESIDENT" was
the reply. II only ask that you viii
hear what l have to say, and II you
can be convinced my story is true that
you will interpose In my sons behalf"
The widow then told Mr.. Lincoln the
story as 1t has been told here. When
she had finished Mr.. Lincoln said to
her:
"You may go now, madam, with a
good heart. promise you that pro-
ceedings shall be stayed and that you
shall have an opportunity to prove the
truth of your statement II you do so
you have nothing to fear"
The president repressed the express
sions Of gratitude Of the woman he had
made happy, interrupting her to say
that he was only doing his duty, and
she went out weeping tears Of relief
and joy.
Arthur Atwater was preparing him
self to meet his fate when telegram
was received by him that his execu-
ton had been ordered delayed by the
president for an investigation Of his
case. His mother made good her state
ment, and he was returned to duty.
His life was saved by the appeal of
his mother to one who mingled kind
ly nature with sense Of justice
There is no record at hand Of what
the secretary OF war said when 1t was
announced to him that stay had
been granted In the case Of Private
Arthur Atwater. 1t is quite likely,
however, that he frowned and NUT
tered, Another case Of chicken heart
edness on the part of the president"
There is a sequel to the story which
gives it a fitting ending. When the
truth came out that the officer to
whom Arthur had applied for leave
had In face OF the evidence at hand
accused the boy of cowardice and had
called his mother a scheming rebel,
the captain was taken to task by his
colonel, who preferred charges against
him. While the case was pending the
captain got on spree and while drunk
was thrown from bis horse and killed.
If Mr.. Lncoln's tender heartedness
was a weakness it was not the kind
Of weakness that his lieutenants In
the big war attributed to him. It was
not the kind Of weakness that leads
one to do an injustice for fear Of dis
pleasing some one. Mr.. Lincoln him
self said:
II do not mind crossing or even de-
flying the whole world when ] can do
so as a champion for the wronged. In
that case feel as II had the strength
of giant. No. my cowardice comes In
when allow my sense Of humanity
to obscure my sense of duty. Then
am a veritable coward and only hold
myself together by the thought thk
much win be forgiven man In dout-.
who errs on the side of mercy
And yet with all this tender hearted
ness and his modesty in giving his or
ders Mr.. Lincoln held the rudder Of
the ship Of state In his own hand for
the whole period Of his incumbency.