Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-09


in the last days of his life is
typified in a telegram which
he sent from the White House
on his last birthday and Is exemplary
of the attitude he took, not only to-
ward individuals, but toward the peo-
Piles and the states who were opposed
In arms to the Union.
The telegram to Maj. Gen. Hooker
at Cincinnati read:
rs it 'Lieut. Samuel D. Davis whose
death sentence is commuted7 If not
done. let 1t be done. Is there not an
associate of his also in trouble? Please
answer.
"A LINCOLN"
Harsh measures were taken In the
closing days of the war as result
of the military rigors, not only in
dealing with the enemy, but in deal
ing with those within the forces of
the north who were guilty of de-
sertion. neglect or treachery. Natu-
rally there was a great cutlery in the
north from relatives and political
friends of the men condemned by
military courts, Continual pressure
was brought to bear upon the Presi-
dent throughout the war in this re-
spect, but he left these matters to
the discretion of the generals in the
field for the most part.
During the weeks preceding and
following his birthday, February IL,
1865, he gave special attention to
these matters In the month of Feb
ruary alone he sent at least ten tele-
seams suspeuding or delaying execu-
lions or asking for full reports of the
trials for his personal examination.
The decree of the military courts,
in some cases, he upheld; in others
he issued pardonS, and it is said that
in at least one case the man who had
been convicted was in reality q gov
ernment secret service agent UNI
known to the military authorities,
who had convicted him for the very
acts he committed in the service of
the Union.
Biographers of Lincoln have as
serted that he felt premonitions of
his death in the months following his
second election, and If this be true II
is possible that the shadow over his
soul may have caused him to be more
clement than was his rule. 1t Is agreed
by many that he was always com
passionate and slow TO condemn, but
he was sensible OF the necessity for
stern justice. and was not given to
mock mercy of the weak -kneed, sem
timental kind.
The Presidents birthday Itself had
no significance in 1865. II is doubtful
IL many outside his immediate family
realized when the day occurred, IL
would be small percentage of
Americans today who could state the
date of President Wilson'S birthday
and in the last stages of the ciVll
war the nation was too sorely beset
by pressing. vital problems, sorrow
and anxiety to recognize the birthday
of the man who himself, was the
vortex of all the maelstrom of polit-
cal, military aud executive actiN-
ties.
Lincoln's last birthday. II is known,
saw him more cheerful, more hopeful
of a peace which would save the Union
than he had been at any other time
during the war. He had met commits
sloners OF the Confederate govern
mont on a steamer at Hampton roads.
and although the interview had led
to nothing, the President felt that
the dissension evident between the
commissioners from the south meant
a speedy conclusion of the war.
The House of Representatives, Just
before tho Presidents birthday. pass
cd a resolution requesting him to COM
municate to IL such information as
ne might deem compatible with the