submit them to no military conferences or conventions.”  During his meeting with Grant at Petersburg the President revealed to the General many of his plans for the rehabilitation of the South, and it could easily be seen that a spirit of magnanimity was uppermost in his heart.  And at the conference with Grant, Sherman, and Porter, on board the “River Queen,” the same subject was broached.  “Though I cannot attempt to recall the words spoken by any one of the persons present on that occasion,” says General Sherman, “I know we talked generally about what was to be done when Lee’s and Johnston’s armies were beaten and dispersed.  On this point Mr. Lincoln was very full.  He said that he had long thought of it, that he hoped this end could be reached without more bloodshed, but in any event he wanted us to get the men of the Southern armies disarmed and back to their homes; that he contemplated no revenge, no harsh measures, but quite the contrary, and that their suffering and hardships during the war would make them the more submissive to law.”  Says Hon. George Bancroft:  “It was the nature of Mr. Lincoln to forgive.  When hostilities ceased he who had always sent forth the flag with every one of its stars in the field was eager to receive back his returning countrymen.”

One of the last stories of personal interviews with President Lincoln relates to his feeling of clemency for the men lately in rebellion.  It is told by Senator Henderson of Missouri.  “About the middle of March, 1865,” says Senator Henderson, “I went to the White House to ask the President to pardon a number of men who had been languishing in Missouri prisons for various offenses, all political.  Some of them had been my schoolmates, and their mothers and sisters and sweethearts had persisted in appeals that I should use my influence for their release.  Since it was evident to me that the Confederacy was in its last throes, I felt that the pardon of most of these prisoners would do more good than harm.  I had separated them, according to the gravity of their offenses, into three classes; and handing the first list to him, I said, ’Mr. President, the session of the Senate is closed, and I am about to start for home.  The war is virtually over.  Grant is pretty certain to get Lee and his army, and Sherman is plainly able to take care of Johnston.  In my opinion the best way to prevent guerilla warfare at the end of organized resistance will be to show clemency to these Southern sympathizers.’  Lincoln shook his head and said, ’Henderson, I am deeply indebted to you, and I want to show it; but don’t ask me at this time to pardon rebels.  I can’t do it.  People are continually blaming me for being too lenient.  Don’t encourage such fellows by inducing me to turn loose a lot of men who perhaps ought to be hanged.’  I answered, ’Mr. President, these prisoners and their friends tell me that for them the war is over; and it will surely have a good influence now to let them go.’