Thomas F. Harney

[John Fazio]

(11-15-2014 08:44 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Thanks John & Laurie

Friends:

Occam's Razor: The simplest solution is the best one. I perceive that some feel a need to rehabilitate the conspirators, to portray them not as heroes (that would be a bridge too far), but at least as "complex" and "multifaceted" individuals (a hat tip to my good friend and everyone's favorite gadabout, Dave Taylor) with some good qualities, including character and intelligence. THE EVIDENCE DOES NOT SUPPORT IT. Please do not confuse skills with character and intelligence. Yes, John Surratt was a master courier; his mother a fine boardinghouse keeper; Atzerodt a river rat; Herold a pharmacist's assistant, animal tracker and navigator; Powell "the boldest of the bold and the rashest of the reckless", a "stray knight from the Black Forest"; O'Laughlen an engraver; and Dr. Mudd a healer. But none had character or intelligence, not even the doctor.

Surratt told more lies than can be counted. His accounts (Rockville lecture, Hanson Hiss interview and statements to McMillan and Ste. Marie) are replete with inconsistencies. He committed atrocities against Union soldiers and fled the country and left his mother to the hangman rather than face his accusers. He burned his memoirs.

Mary lied whenever it suited her, despite being a "fine Christian lady" (recognition of Powell; whereabouts of her son's letter; to her son's employer).

Atzerodt was a poor and illiterate carriage painter whose appearance was repulsive (he wore the same coat for three months), who had a terrible self image and the respect of no one. Mrs. Surratt referred to him as a "stick" and told her son he couldn't stay at her house. It was said he abused his common law wife. He was easy prey for Booth.

Powell incarnadined the Seward home and came within an inch of murdering William and Frederick. The real Lewis Payne said he had the reputation of having killed a great many men. Doster said he seemed dull, "his mind...of the lowest order...and his moral faculties equally low."

In addition to all the testimony at the trial attesting to his being a dimwit, Herold was said by Powell to be a "blab". Nearly everyone who met him said he was extremely loquacious, talked nonsense and was noisy. His sister said he was "easily led off, very yielding...easily imposed upon." His deviousness before his interrogators should not be confused with intelligence. It doesn't take brains to lie.

Arnold was said to be "wild in his habits and always hard up for money". His memoirs are self-serving in the extreme and do not even record the death of his friend and fellow conspirator, O'Laughlen. It is worth saying, too, that it was HE who said that all of Booth's action team were a low order of men who stayed with Booth only because of the money they were receiving from him. More easy prey for Booth.

O'Laughlen was little more than his brother's assistant in the feed and hay business, a dandy and a carouser. Another easy prey for Booth.

Dr. Mudd justified slavery and abused his slaves, even to shooting one of them. This fine Christian church-goer said his Oath of Allegiance wasn't worth a chew of tobacco. Further, he "lied about virtually every critical piece of information the authorities were seeking in their effort to capture Booth." (Steers) Even his counsel (Stone) said "His prevarications were painful."

Conclusion: There is nothing to rehabilitate. Let us just recognize them for what they were and move on.

John