Band at the execution

[wpbinzel]

Hence, the admonition that it is very difficult for the people of one era to fairly judge the social/moral/political positions of the people of a different era. I suspect that there are many such positions that are in vogue in the early 21st Century that would have been abhorrent and "grotesque" to the people of the mid-19th Century.

For example, and not to launch a debate on capital punishment, but the Bible also says "an eye for eye." And is it is capital PUNISHMENT -- not capital "deterrent." Hence, their view of an execution is likely different than that of today. And, despite the apparent contradiction, it that era, hanging was viewed as the most "humane" form of execution.

I am not sure that adds anything to the original question (and welcome!), but I have never read anything about a band being present at the execution of the Lincoln conspirators.