"
"And with justice and humanity! to find a verdict against this young
man would be to place an unmerited brand upon his spotless name,
that no after clemency of the Executive could wipe out! Gentlemen,
will you do this! No! I am sure that you will not! And again I move
for a new ballot! "
"I second the motion!" said Lieutenant Lovel, rising quite
encouraged to believe in his own first instincts, which had been so
favorable.
"Gentlemen," said the President sternly, "this thing is without
precedent! In all the annals of courts-martial, with out
precedent.!"
"Then, if there is no such precedent, it is quite time that such a
one were established, so that the iron car of literal law should not
always roll over and crush justice! Gentlemen, shall we have a new
ballot?"
"Yes! yes! yes!" were the answers.
"It is irregular! It is illegal! It is unprecedented! A new ballot?
Never heard of such a thing in forty years of military life! Lord
bless my soul, what is the service coming to!"
"A new ballot:! a new ballot! a new ballot!" was the unanimous cry.
The President groaned in spirit, and recorded a vow never to forgive
Herbert Greyson for this departure from routine.
The new ballot demanded by acclamation had to be held.
The Judge Advocate called the court to order and began anew. The
votes were taken as before, commencing with the young lieutenant,
who now responded sonorously:
"Not guilty!"
And so it ran around the entire circle.
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