Abraham Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life, Volume 2 (of 2)Herndon, William Henry
History
Abraham Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life, Volume 2 (of 2)
Herndon, William Henry
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
"I was counsel for Bowles, Milligan, et al.** who had been
convicted of conspiracy by military tribunal in Indiana.
Early in 1865 I went to Washington to confer with the
President, whom I had known, and with whom in earlier days I
had practised law on the circuit in Illinois. My clients had
been sentenced, and unless the President interfered were to
have been executed. Mr. Hendricks, who was then in the
Senate, and who seemed to have little faith in the
probability of executive clemency, accompanied me to the
White House. It was early in the evening, and so many
callers and visitors had preceded us we anticipated a very
brief interview. Much to our surprise we found Mr. Lincoln
in a singularly cheerful and reminiscent mood. He kept us
with him till almost eleven o'clock. He went over the
history of my clients' crime as shown by the papers in the
case, and suggested certain errors and imperfections in the
record. The papers, he explained, would have to be returned
for correction, and that would consume no little time. 'You
may go home, Mr. McDonald,' he said, with a pleased
expression, 'and Ill send for you when the papers get back;
but I apprehend and hope there will be such a jubilee over
yonder,' he added, pointing to the hills of Virginia just
across the river, 'we shall none of us want any more killing
done.' The papers started on their long and circuitous
journey, and sure enough, before they reached Washington
again Mr. Lincoln's prediction of the return of peace had
proved true."--Hon. Joseph E. McDonald, statement, August
28,1888, to J. W. W.
Threats were rife of a revolution at the North, especially in New York
City, if Mr. Lincoln were elected. Mr. Lincoln went steadily on in
his own peculiar way. In a preceding chapter Mr. Swett has told us how
indifferent he appeared to be regarding any efforts to be made in his
behalf. He did his duty as President, and rested secure in the belief
that he would be re-elected whatever might be done for or against him.
The importance of retaining Indiana in the column of Republican States
was not to be overlooked. How the President viewed it, and how he
proposed to secure the vote of the State, is shown in the following
letter written to General Sherman:
"Executive Mansion,
"Washington, September 19, 1864.
"Major General Sherman:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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