Sentence:  Concerning the sentence , Foss wrote , `` If it be possible that <WSD>mercy</WSD> shall override vengeance and that John Brown 's sentence shall be commuted to imprisonment , it would be well - well for the country and for Virginia '' . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice